Southwind Tempo, Tug River Princess to wrap up season in Lex

The top older pacing mares Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess will both be racing at The Red Mile on Saturday. Eric Cherry, who shares ownership of the mares, said he decided to have them both shipped to Lexington for their last starts of the season based on their strong performances in the Milton last Saturday night at Mohawk.

 

Southwind Tempo won the Milton thanks to her phenomenal rally from 10th and three-wide—and 8 ¾ lengths behind the leader—at the three-quarter pole and still 5 ¾ lengths off at the stretch call. But with a blazing :26 final quarter-mile sprint, Southwind Tempo won by one-half length over To Helen Back in 1:52.

 

“She’s won from places on the track that very truly incredible,” said Cherry of Southwind Tempo, who has seven wins in 14 starts this season and almost $900,000 in purses.

 

Tug River Princess finished fourth in the Milton after starting from post 10 and enduring a grueling trip first-over. She has won four of 11 starts and $433,000.

 

Cherry said he plans to race both mares in 2010 if they stay sound and healthy.