An inside post proved to be the difference in the weekly feature on Saturday (July 17) at Northside Downs.
After three straight tallies in this class, Johnnie Jack was assigned the outside post six in a field of six pacers vying for a $1,500 purse in the Winners Over Pace. Leaving from post two, Southwind Ricardo was pointed to the lead by driver Mark Pezzarello and made the lead after a :29.1 opener. Despite the outside starting spot, Johnnie Jack was sent off as the favourite but driver Ryan Campbell guided him to the back of the bus spotted some 11 lengths off the leader at the first call.
Southwind Ricardo backed down the tempo, hitting the half in :59.2 and third station in 1:29.2 while Johnnie Jack followed Hotlikewasabi (Richie Baryluk) into second over striking range with a quarter mile to go. Around the final turn, Johnnie Jack looped Hotlikewasabi and was just a length back of the pacesetter at the head of the lane. But Southwind Ricardo's :29.1 final quarter was enough to hold off the late charge of Johnnie Jack to win by a head in 1:58.3. Accelerator (Greg Sparling) sat the pocket throughout and made a bid late but finished third a half-length back.
Notching his 40th career win in his 160th lifetime start, Southwind Ricardo is owned and trained by Harold Le Blanc and co-owned by Joel Le Blanc of Victoria Mines, William Seymour and Bernie Gillis of Glace Bay, N.S. The eight-year-old altered son of Dragon Again - Southwind Rio now sports $110,368 in lifetime earnings.
To view the results for the Saturday card of harness racing from Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.