Connie Hochstetler's Southern Girl ($12.80) is back in form, having earned her third win in four starts in Friday (June 17) evening's $7,500 top-level Miracle Mile distaff pace at Vernon Downs.

John MacDonald sent the four-year-old Sportsmaster mare directly to the front, sprinting clear of Looney Dune (Ben McNeil) before rating a :56.1 first half. On approach to the far turn, Southern Girl accelerated, forcing the first-over Love Live Laugh (Jimmy Whittemore) and the pocket-sitting Looney Dune to chase a :27.1 third quarter. They nearly collared Southern Girl in the end, but the pacesetter dug in to narrowly hold sway in 1:52.1, staving off a resurgent Looney Dune by a neck in the end. Love Live Laugh stayed on for third as the 6-5 favourite.

Homer Hochstetler trains Southern Girl, who earned her eighth career win.

For MacDonald, the featured win was one of three on the night. Jimmy Whittemore also notched a driving hat trick on the 11-race card.

(Vernon Downs)