The first round of the 2019 Atlantic Aged Mares Pacing Series kicked off on Sunday (June 16) at Red Shores’ Summerside Raceway, and mares from the opposite ends of the starter each ended up hitting the wire first in their respective $3,920 divisions.

Sodwana Bay has been right in the thick of things to start her 2019 campaign. She had posted a pair of wins and two close second-place finishes from four starts heading into her Sunday tilt. The brown daughter of No Pan Intended had rail control for Sunday’s opening split (Race 7), and she didn’t want to give it up.

The Gilles Barrieau-trained and driven mare lined up in Post 1 and fired out to the early lead, as she kept Post 4 starter Ramblingly (who was driven by Ken Murphy) on the outside as the field straightened down the backstretch for the first time. Murphy opted to tuck into the pocket prior to the quarter-mile clock flashing to life in :28.3.

Barrieau and his charge thrived on the engine, as they were able to get down to the half-mile pole in :58.1 and to the three-quarters marker in 1:27.1. Murphy and Ramblingly stayed in the garden spot through the fractions, as they readied themselves for a shot at the leader late.

Murphy asked Ramblinglily to post the upset in the lane, but the two-hole rider ran out of real estate in the stretch, as Sodwana Bay remained strong on the point and was first under the wire in 1:55.2.

Ramblinglily, who was racing at odds of 6-1, held on for third; while West River Ambyr (Steven Shepherd), who had worked out a second-over trip through the back half, raced widest of all through the stretch to get up for third at odds of 28-1.

Sodwana Bay, who was sent off as the public’s 1-9 choice, returned $2.20 to win for owners Wayne MacRae (of Fall River, NS) and Howmac Farms Ltd. (North Wiltshire, PE).

Sodwana Bay has now won three of her five starts this season and has banked $6,160 thus far in her campaign. Overall, she has won 25 of her 85 career races and $168,804 in purses.

Sodwana Bay may have got it done from the rail in her assignment, but Jordies Hope had her work cut out for her in the second division (Race 9), as she started from the outermost Post 8. After the dust had settled, it was clear that the daughter of Astronomical was up for the test.

Jordies Hope was one of five mares that fired off the gate with vigor. The Brian Ladner trainee sparred for the early lead before assuming command of the lead in the vicinity of the quarter pole, which was clicked off in 28 seconds.

Jordies Hope and her pilot, David Dowling, faced immediate first-up pressure in the second quarter, as Woodmere Finesse (Dale Spence) challenged for the lead past the :56.4 half-mile pole and the 1:26 three-quarters marker.

Jordies Hope refused to give an inch through the lane, as Dowling had her determined to nail the wire on top. The bay seven-year-old did just that, as he held off Woodmere Finesse, who finished second in the 1:55.3 mile. The Jason Hughes-driven Drivingthedragon N, who had left early and worked out a pocket trip, finished third.

Jordies Hope has now won two of her 15 starts this year and 19 of her 130 career starts. He has banked $15,552 in purses this year and $170,523 over the course of her career.

Jordies Hope is owned by Lillian Ladner of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

The Atlantic Aged Mares Pacing Series will continue at Truro Raceway on July 20.

To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Summerside, click the following link: Sunday Results – Summerside Raceway.