Northfield, OH — Fresh off a third-place effort to Strong Poison in the USS Indianapolis at Harrah’s Hoosier Park, Southwind Bella found her best stride on Sunday (Nov. 19), winning the featured $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace at MGM Northfield Park.

Following a fifth-place effort in the $100,000 Courageous Lady, the daughter of Huntsville returned to Northfield Park for an impressive victory from post seven against conditioned company on Oct. 28. The Ron Burke trainee came back to the Buckeye State on Sunday night and returned to the winner’s circle following another outstanding effort from an outside draw.

Southwind Bella coasted to victory in Sunday’s top distaff pace at MGM Northfield Park. Casalinova Photography.

Adashious Hanover (Elliott Deaton) and Mystical Virgin (Kurt Sugg) dueled into the opening turn, with Adashious Hanover clearing before entering the backstretch. Southwind Bella (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) came away cleanly in third, and heading to the quarter, Wrenn stepped on the gas, clearing Adashious Hanover past a :27.3 opening fraction.

With the field in straight alignment, Wrenn tried to get somewhat of a breather but continued to set decent fractions, reaching the half in :55.3. Up the backstretch, Wrenn only had to ask Southwind Bella for a little bit as she quickly opened up a three-length lead heading to three-quarters in 1:23.1.

Southwind Bella was confidently handled through the stretch, winning by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:52.2 over Fairiesdelight A (Aaron Merriman) and Adashious Hanover.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, Bridgette Jablonsky, and Lombardo/Green Racing, the talented filly pushed her career earnings to $238,495.

Live racing resumes on Monday (Nov. 20) at 6 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.