Pro North sets Colonial distance mark

Dojea Stables’ Pro North provided a perfectly fitting coda to his Horse of the Meet season by pacing the fastest 1 ¼ miles in Colonial Downs history to easily annex the $12,400 Emergency Squads of Virginia Late Closing Series final Sunday afternoon at Colonial Downs.

Pro North was voted Horse of the Meet in voting conducted by the Mid-Atlantic chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association and made his first trip to the winners circle this weekend to receive the award after Saturday’s fifth race.

Pro North was 3-5 to make yet another winners circle visit in Sunday’s final. Driver Sean Bier sent Pro North right to his customary spot on the lead through an opening quarter in :28. 

Polo Johnny moved up to take command as the field straightened down the backstretch and Pro North was content to race in the pocket at that point. Polo Johnny crossed the half-mile fraction in 57.1 to lead the field into the far turn. 

Polo Johnny continued to lead Pro North through three-quarters in 1:26.1 but Pro North loomed large at the top of the lane.

Bier sent Pro North after the leader in upper stretch and the 4-year-old Northern Luck horse quickly drew clear and extended his lead with every stride to win by 6 ¼ lengths in 2:21.3.

Boy Blue closed well to get second, 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Polo Johnny. 

Pro North’s time lowered the 1 ¼-mile mark Western Azure set with 2:21.4 mile in the New Kent oval’s inaugural 1998 campaign. 

The Emergency Squads final was Pro North’s fifth win of the Colonial season for trainer Richard Macomber. It was also his seventh win of the year and 11th from just 32 lifetime starts. (Colonial Downs)  

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