She hasn't raced pari-mutuelly since March of this year, but the classy Camluck mare Southwind Madonna showed those at this morning's Mohawk Racetrack qualifying session that the millionaire miss is
on her way back.
Having battled in Woodbine Racetrack's Fillies and Mares Open class from November of 2009 straight through March of this year, Southwind Madonna was given some time off.
After having paced back with a victorious qualifying mile September 18 at Georgian Downs,' Southwind Madonna stepped out on to the Mohawk oval this morning and served notice.
Having started from Post 7 in Race 5, driver Lyle MacArthur and his seven-year-old mare shot out to the early lead and pulled the field to the :27.2 opening quarter. MacArthur geared his mount right down in the second panel and leisurely went on to click off the opening half-mile marker in :57.2.
MacArthur revved his charge up on the final turn and Southwind Madonna recorded a :28.1 third quarter. After having spun past the three-quarters of a mile pole in 1:25.3, the mare cruised home with a 29-second final panel and stopped the clock in 1:54.3. The margin of victory was five lengths.
From 118 career starts, Southwind Madonna has compiled a record of 25-26-17, banked $1,013,451 in purse earnings and taken a mark of 1:49.3 over Mohawk for co-owner and trainer Carl MacArthur and Talacadac Stable.
In what was a bit of a unique sight, a Manitoba-bred three-year-old which has found success on the Manitoba Great Western Harness Racing Circuit qualified in Race 4 this morning for trainer Don Anness and driver Mike Saftic. Classicandregal, a Royal Dilemma gelding, finished fourth in the mile and paced in 1:57.4.
There were also a good number of two-year-olds in action during the qualifying card.
To view the charted results from the Mohawk qualifying session, click here.