Southwind Amazon dethroned the 'Princesses' at Northville Downs, winning the $14,000 top pace on Saturday night (June 11).
Southwind Amazon, who was driven by Art McIlmurray, fired off of the starting car from post position seven along with inside rival and last week’s winner Princess Rockette (Justin Irvine), and her stablemate, Princess Rougarou (Kody Massey). After a quarter-mile tussle for the lead, it was Southwind Amazon who took over and tripped the beam in :26.3.
The Paul Holzman trainee, Southwind Amazon, put up the numbers the rest of the mile -- :55 to the half and 1:24 to the three-quarters -- closed out the mile in 1:53.2 while staving off late insurrection attempts by the two 'Princesses' in the stretch, including the big late surge by Princess Rougarou just yards from the finish. Southwind Amazon was declared the winner after a lengthy photo finish that showed him winning by a narrow head margin.
The mile time of 1:53.2 was just one tick off of the fastest mile for the spring meet. That marks the 118th career win in Southwind Amazon's 303rd lifetime start. The 12-year-old millionaire son of Camluck is owned by Ameer Najor.
Northville Downs resumes live harness racing next Friday and Saturday (June 17-18). Post time each racing night remains 7:30 p.m.
(With files from Northville Downs)