Northfield, OH — A week removed from his most recent victory, and up in class, Southwind Amazon was all class, re-writing the harness racing history books by earning career win number 138 at MGM Northfield Park on Tuesday (Nov. 5).
The victory also pushed the 14-year-old son of Camluck’s earnings to over $1.5 million and pushed him past Niffit who had 137 wins.
Things were stacked against the warhorse and driver Justin Irvine from the word go. After he earned his 137th victory, he was forced to move up in class and face tougher company.
He also didn’t get the greatest of beginnings as Southwind Amazon came away sixth, with Beach Forecast (John Ciocca Jr.) and Native’s Filou (Kurt Sugg) both flying off the gate. The top three arrived at a bone crushing :26 first quarter.
At the half in :55.3, the outer flow began to develop, as Southwind Amazon began his bid third over. Up the backstretch, Native’s Filou kicked clear, but as the field arrived at three-quarters in 1:24.3, Win Not Lou (Billy Davis Jr.) flipped off cover three-wide and Southwind Amazon followed his cover and found another gear around the last turn. When Southwind Amazon met Native’s Filou, he went by like the gelding was standing still, drawing off to win his historic mile by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:54.
Southwind Amazon is owned by Ameer Najor and trained by Paul Holzman. The 22-year-old Irvine earned one of the biggest victories of his career.
“He was racing before I even got my driving license, I can’t believe that my name will be in the record books with such a great horse,” said Irvine.
Trainer Paul Holzman plans to race Southwind Amazon through the end of the year until he is forced into retirement on Dec. 31.
“He has taken me to places I never thought I would be, and has raced against some of the greatest horses of all-time. I couldn’t be more proud of him,” said a jubilant Holzman. “He’s like my son, I’ve rode on his coat tails, it’s been an absolute thrill and honor.”