Storied pacer Southwind Amazon was feted stateside for a money milestone after winning the $15,000 Open Pace on Monday (Jan. 20) in MGM Northfield Park’s ninth race.
Southwind Amazon went to the gate with 88 career wins and $998,216 in U.S. earnings. Monday’s victory yielded $7,500, bringing his career tally over the million-dollar mark to $1,005,716 (U.S.).
The 10-year-old Ontario-sired son of Camluck was assigned the outside post six in the evening’s featured pace. Southwind Amazon, who fifth through the :26.4 opening quarter, started his first-over bid in the second split and remained there through fractions of :55.1 and 1:23. He took the lead at the top of the stretch and bested his competition by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.
Greg Grismore was given the evening’s driving assignment by Southwind Amazon’s trainer Paul Holzman. The gelding is owned by Ameer Najor of West Bloomfield, Michigan.
Southwind Amazon was the race favourite and returned $3.80 to win.
(With files from Northfield Park)