by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Editor

Columbus, OH — Alton Lynch, Jr. Inc. and Wayne Chrebet’s Southwind Tempo, who won two stakes finals and set a world record along the way, has been named June’s Horse of the Month by the USTA.

The 3-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight-Tsunami Hanover has won eight of her nine starts so far in 2007, with earnings of $354,922. Trained by Steve Elliott, she was driven in each of her June victories by Tim Tetrick.

Southwind Tempo opened up her month on June 2 in the $242,620 Lismore Final at Yonkers Raceway. She cleared to the front for Tetrick at the :55.4 half-mile marker and went on to an easy 1:52.4 victory, stopping the dead heat duo of Elusive Prey and Trinity Islands by 3-1/4 lengths.

Next up was the James M. Lynch Memorial at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. In her $31,329 elimination on June 9, Southwind Tempo was fifth through the opening half, motored to the front at the 1:22.4 three-quarter pole, then rated a final quarter of :28 to hit the wire in 1:50.4. She was four lengths better than runner-up Western Graduate.

In the Lynch final on June 16, Southwind Tempo led at every call through fractions of :26.1, :55, 1:22.3 and 1:49.3. The final time was a world record for a sophomore pacing filly on a five-eighths-mile track. Elusive Prey was second, three-quarters of a length behind the winner, with Omen Hanover third.

Southwind Tempo’s final start of the month came on June 27 at Monticello Raceway in a $20,000 Lady Catskill elimination. The brown lass was parked to the lead in an opening quarter of :26.4, cleared to the front at the :57.1 half, then rolled to victory in 1:53.3. She stopped Western Graduate by 1-1/2 lengths.

Southwind Tempo will try to continue her winning ways on Wednesday (July 4) in the $222,250 Lady Catskill final at The Mighty M.