Southwind Ricardo made a statement in the final card of 2018 at Northside Downs with a punishing performance in the track's top class on Saturday (November 17).
The field of six was reduced to four with a pair of transportation scratches. Driver Harold Leblanc was intent on the lead, driving on and clearing over opening quarter leader Dragon Fire (Ryan Campbell) who fronted the field to the first station in :29. Southwind Ricardo had a two-length cushion on his rivals through a :58.4 half before setting sail heading down the backside. Leblanc let the five-year-old loose and he opened up a nine-length margin by three quarters, reached in 1:29.3. The distance widened with each stride as Southwind Ricardo tripped the timer in 2:01.1 over the track rated three seconds off, more than 11 lengths ahead of Gotfaithincowboys (Angus Bates) with Dragon Fire settling for show.
Leblanc trains and co-owns Southwind Ricardo (Dragon Again - Southwind Rio) along with Joel Le Blanc of Victoria Mines and William Seymour of Glace Bay, N.S. The win was the 20th lifetime and third straight for the 2018 Governor's Cup champ, who lifted his earnings over the $90,000 mark in the process.
For results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.