Dropping down in class to the Preferred 3 level, Southwind Ion dominated the distaffers in the $8,500 featured finale on Friday night (August 17) at Grand River Raceway.
Paired up with driver Scott Coulter for the first time, Southwind Ion led gate-to-wire in a 3-3/4 length romp. The four-year-old Sportswriter mare paced fractions of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:26 before speeding away from her rivals when challenged on the final turn and stoppped the clock in 1:54.4. She has now paced her last four race miles in identical times.
Returning to the class she won on July 4, Southwind Ion was sent postward as the 2-1 slight second choice and paid $6.20 to win. Ok Jasmine and favoured Mach Magic completed the top three finish order.
Craig Gilmour trains the 13-time career winner for owner Steve Mihalic. Southwind Ion has earned six of those wins this year while making 24 starts across six different tracks in Ontario.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Grand River Raceway.