Aided by a drop in class to the easiest field he has faced since his two-year-old campaign, 2019 Little Brown Jug winner Southwind Ozzi ($3.60) broke a five-race losing skid with a scintillating 1:48.4 mile on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 8) at Harrah's Philadelphia.
Southwind Ozzi wasted no time establishing command of the terms in the $10,000 fourth-level conditioned pace and was guided by Daniel Dubé through sectionals of :27, :54.4 and 1:21.4. After dictating that fast pace while under no opposition, the four-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere and Southwind Solara drew clear through the final turn and homestretch, amassing a seven-length margin of victory over Billy Badger N (Dexter Dunn) and Put To Right (Andy McCarthy).
Bill MacKenzie trains Southwind Ozzi, whose 13th career win propelled his career earnings over the $900,000 plateau, for Vincent Ali Jr. and Alma Iafelice.
In the afternoon's featured event, a fifth-level conditioned pace worth $11,600, Bettor Memories ($4.00) used a :54.2 closing half mile to stave off a late charge from pocket rival Vapour N by a half length in 1:51.2. Dexter Dunn drove the seven-year-old Bettors Delight gelding to the 33rd win of his career for owner Gus Dovi and trainer Richard "Nifty" Norman.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 11); the first of 12 races is scheduled for 12:25 p.m. EST.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)
I think the 2 most
I think the 2 most disappointing horses of 2020, compared to how well they did in 2019, are pacer Southwind Ozzi and trotter Real Cool Sam.