by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society
CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Lyle MacArthur and Southwind Madonna made their intentions clear by charging to the lead and holding off all challengers to tie the Mohawk track record of 1:49.3 in the Breeders Crown elimination for mare pacers.
![](http://ustrottingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/28614-SouthwindMadonna260.jpg)
WEG photo
Southwind Madonna held off all challengers to tie the Mohawk track record of 1:49.3 in the Breeders Crown elimination for mare pacers.
MacArthur pinched off a pylon-skimming bid in the final strides by Darlin’s Delight driven by Yannick Gingras, ensuring the chance to choose his post position for next week’s US$331,500 final.
After supplementing the daughter of Camluck for US$37,500, trainer Carl MacArthur pronounced her the soul of consistency and ready to step with the Crown caliber mares. Father knew best, and son Lyle was soon echoing those sentiments in the winners circle.
“Her last two starts she’s been really good. She had a little bit of a bump in the road a few starts ago, when she was second and third, she had a bit of a viral bug but she’s real good now,” smiled MacArthur. “Dad told me he trained her up a little more for a bigger race. He’s not that hard on her, but the odd time he’ll train her three trips instead of two.”
Southwind Madonna paid a healthy $9.00 for the win and earned back more than half her supplemental fee for owners MacArthur and the Talacadac Stable thanks to the US$40,000 purse. Race time favorite Darlin’s Delight was second with Hana Hanover third. Tidewaterdragonfly, second choice in the wagering was fourth.
MacArthur chose post two for Southwind Madonna in the final, while Darlin’s Delight got post position seven. Two-time Breeders Crown champion My Little Dragon sat out this week on an earnings bye and drew post five. Ideal Weather, the other mare whose connections opted not to race in the elimination was not so fortunate, drawing post ten.
Michelle’s Power and Four Starzz Meliss were ninth and tenth respectively and did not advance to the final.
The complete field for next week’s Breeders crown Mare Pace is as follows:
US$331,500 Breeders Crown Mare Pace
1. Double Dream N
2. Southwind Madonna (selected post position)
3. Tidewaterdragonfly
4. To Helen Back
5. My Little Dragon (bye)
6. Hana Hanover
7. Darlin’s Delight
8. Go On BB
9. Illusionist
10. Ideal Weather (bye)