by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — Southwind Frank took the lead at the halfway point and was never threatened the rest of the way as he won Saturday’s (Aug. 8) $349,850 Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old male trotters by 2-1/4 lengths over Brooklyn Hill in 1:53.4.

Lisa photo

Southwind Frank was a 1:53.4 winner in the Peter Haughton Memorial.

Earn And Burn (Johnny Takter) charged from post 10 to take the early lead in a :27.2 opening quarter-mile before Brooklyn Hill (David Miller) moved to the front on the backstretch. Yannick Gingras moved Southwind Frank to the top as the field reached the half in :56.2.

Milligan’s School (Andy Miller) tried to overtake Southwind Frank with a first-over bid on the final turn, but it was to no avail as Southwind Frank, the 3-5 favorite, trotted to victory. Brooklyn Hill was second, Earn And Burn finished third and Bar Hopping was fourth.

“For a colt that started out terrible, he really has blossomed into a very nice horse,” said winning trainer Ron Burke.

Southwind Frank, a son of Muscle Hill-Flawless Lindy, has won four of five races and earned $244,925. He is owned by Burke Racing, the partnership of Mark Weaver and Mike Bruscemi, Our Horse Cents Stables, and J&T Silva Stables.