by Moira Fanning, publicity director, The Hambletonian Society

Cranbury, NJ — Carl MacArthur and Talacadac Stable’s Southwind Madonna will take the supplemental route to the $331,500 (C$351,555) Breeders Crown Mare Pace, scheduled for Saturday, August 30, at Mohawk Racetrack.

The 5-year-old daughter of 1991 Breeders Crown champion Camluck has won eight of 20 starts this year, all in preferred or open company on the Woodbine/Mohawk circuit in Canada. Her consistency — Southwind Madonna has missed one check in 20 starts and earned more than $300,000 this year — sealed the deal for her trainer and co-owner Carl MacArthur and the connections willingly ponied up the supplemental fee of $37,500.

“She definitely deserves a shot in here,” said Lyle MacArthur, who drives the mare for his dad and also co-owns. “She has been consistent all year and shown she can go with them. There’s some top mares eligible but the race is here (at Mohawk) and we have the Milton planned for later on, too.”

One of four races worth a combined $1.6 million slated for a stakes-packed Labor Day weekend card, the Breeders Crown Mare Pace has been won in the past by such legendary champions as Eternal Camnation, Shady Daisy and Burning Point.

Current eligibles to the mare pace include two-time Crown champion My Little Dragon, Golden Girl winner Darlin’s Delight and defending sophomore Crown winner Artcotic. Moving Pictures, the 2007 Crown winner at Mohawk and subsequent divisional champion, is eligible but has been retired for the year after a bout with colic.

Horses eligible to the Breeders Crown events must enter by 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 19, also at the Mohawk race office. Eliminations will be necessary only if more than 14 enter any one event prior to the close of the entry box Tuesday morning. Eliminations for mares would be raced on Friday, August 22, and any eliminations needed for the open events are scheduled for Saturday, August 23.

A complete listing of all eligibles to the four open events and more information on the race can be found at www.hambletonian.org.