Freshman trotting fillies were in action on Wednesday night at Balmoral Park as a field of 10 youngsters was sent to battle in an American National Stake elimination. But this tussle was more like a stroll in the park as the royally bred Southwind Moni romped to a six-length victory
for driver John Campbell in 1:58.2.
Eased away from post position two, Campbell had the daughter of Andover Hall-Miss Goal trotting comfortably in fourth as Canadian Justice (Eric Carlson) led the field through an opening quarter in :30.1.
Pouncing on the slow pace as Carlson tried to tap the breaks heading towards the half, Campbell pulled Southwind Moni from fourth and quickly moved to the top as the field reached the half-mile mark in 1:00.1.
The issue was never really in doubt from that point on. Southwind Moni continued to widen the distance between herself and her rivals as she trotted by the three-quarter-mile mark 1:30.1.
On cruise control the rest of the way, the $30,000 Lexington Select purchase drifted wide through the lane but was under no pressure whatsoever as she reported home with her first career win in four starts for the partnership group of Melvin Hartman of Ottawa, Ont., Chuck Sylvester and Neal Goldman of New Jersey, and Rodney Andrews of Massachusetts.
The top eight finishers in the race will be back next Wednesday for the $70,200 final where they will be joined by Miss Dat Kat and Fox Valley Velvet.
R Little Felicia (Mike Oosting) turned in a solid effort from an outside post to finish second while Canadian Justice was third. Also gaining spots in the final were Mrs Mrs Jones (fourth), Dazzling Valley (fifth), Fox Valley Helen (sixth), Mrs D (seventh) and Wallstreet Darling (eighth).
(With files from Balmoral Park)