The last time fans at Hiawatha Horse Park watched Southview Aviator at the Sarnia, Ont. five-eighths miler, the sophomore reeled off back-to-back victories against conditioned rivals at the of the 2024 harness racing season. On Saturday, May 31, Southview Aviator returned with a step up into Preferred company and raced arguably the mile of his life.
Saturday's featured dash at Hiawatha Horse Park was the $5,200 Preferred 3 Handicap Trot. As second choice Shouldaknownbetter (Anthony Hamlin) and favoured Champagne Bettina (Garrett Rooney) left for early position, driver Andy Moore settled Southview Aviator into fourth watching Shouldaknownbetter hit the opening stations in :27.2 and :56.3. Down the backside, Moore angled Southview Aviator from fourth to set his sights on the leader and that backside brush hauled down the early leader through a 1:27.1 third station. The tempo caught up to this group, as a :31.1 final quarter from Southview Aviator opened up daylight turning for home. The winning margin was more than six lengths, and the mile time was a lifetime best 1:58.2. Hot Fudge Sundae (Alfie Carroll) bested a blocked and locked Champagne Bettina for the place spot.
Ken Gowan trains Southview Aviator, a four-year-old son of Muscle Mass - Honeysuckle, for owners Michelle McMullen and Audrey Crawford of Wallacetown, Ont. A two-time winner in 16 starts last year, Southwview Aviator is now a five-time winner in 2025 to boast seven lifetime victories and more than $40,000 in earnings. A $2 win wager returned $11.60.
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Sarnia, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hiawatha Horse Park.
(Standardbred Canada)