The rugged and productive pacer Southwind Amazon won his fifth race in a row, capturing the $15,000 Open Pace on Sunday (April 25) at MGM Northfield Park.

Southwind Amazon (Camluck – Artoonist – Artsplace) was assigned post 7 in the seven-horse field. He fired off the gate, made the lead just past the quarter-pole and led his competition through fractions of :26.3, :55 and 1:22.3 to stop the clock in 1:50.4. There was never an anxious moment for the winner, who bested his competition by two lengths. Completing the race were Bernie, Macadoodledoo, Tremendous Play, Music Is Art, Larry Karr and Make Some Luck.

Southwind Amazon now has six wins in 14 starts this year. Sunday’s victory represents the 11-year-old’s 105th score and bolstered his bankroll to $1,173,836. He was the race favourite and returned $3.40 to win.

Paul Holzman conditions the pacer for owner Ameer Najor of West Bloomfield, Michigan. Tony Hall has been aboard for all five consecutive wins.

(Northfield Park)