Southwind Ricardo upsets Johnnie Jack

After three straight weeks of Johnnie Jack dominance, Northside Downs’ Winners Over harness racing class has a new winner.

Southwind Ricardo, who finished fourth in all three of the former’s victories, made a decisive move to the front in the Saturday edition and defended his position from Johnnie Jack in the late stages.

Mark Pezzarello, Southwind Ricardo’s fourth different driver in four weeks, hurried the Dragon Again gelding at the start and took command in a :29.1 first quarter mile. Southwind Ricardo cut a :59.2 half under no duress but felt pressure from Hotlikewasabi (Richie Baryluk) at three-quarters in 1:29.2.

Johnnie Jack (Ryan Campbell) tipped three-wide after stalking on Hotlikewasabi’s cover and closed down Southwind Ricardo on the final turn. The pair entered the stretch level, but Southwind Ricardo refused to lose and held off Johnnie Jack by a head for his first score of the season in 1:58.3.

Johnnie Jack finished second, a half length clear of Acceleratior (Greg Sparling), who took third.

SOUTHWIND RICARDO REPLAY

Southwind Ricardo, the second longest shot on the board at 7-1, tallied his 40th career victory and surpassed $110,000 in earnings with the win. Sydney resident Harold LeBlanc trains and co-owns the eight-year-old gelding with Joel LeBlanc of Victoria Mines and William Seymour and Bernie Gillis of Glace Bay.

Greg Sparling dominated his driving peers, winning four of the afternoon’s eight contests. The Sydney-based reinsman started his day perfectly with a 1:58.4 victory behind Kiss Me Im Irish. He then doubled his total in the third with Windemere Rebecca (2:05.1) and added wins with Dustylanewesty (2:02.4) in the fifth and Keep A Secret (2:00.4) in the sixth.

Northside Downs will return to action on Saturday, Jul. 24.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink