A pair of big names captured Sunday's (Aug. 15) twin $16,200 pacing features at Harrah's Philadelphia: Keep Rockin A ($3.80) was victorious in her first start at Harrah's Philadelphia since winning the Betsy Ross Invitational in May, and 2019 Little Brown Jug winner Southwind Ozzi ($4.00) won for the fifth time this year.
And they both did so in style, recording sub-1:50 miles in their gutsy victories after both being tested in the homestretch.
In the top distaff pace of the week, Keep Rockin A and driver Pat Berry brushed to the lead from third with just over a lap to go, clearing Snobbytown after a :26.3 first quarter and holding off that rival in the stretch by three-quarters of a length to win in 1:49.4. Betsea was a ground-saving third, just nosing out a fading Soho Burning Love A another four lengths behind.
Richard "Nifty Norman" trains Keep Rockin A, a five-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven mare with eight wins to her credit, for Richard Poillucci.
The top event for male pacers saw Southwind Ozzi deliver a statement 1:49.3 mile, his third sub-1:50 win of the season, after being outmatched in last week's Sam McKee Memorial at The Meadowlands. The 5-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere stalked from fourth through a :54.4 first half before Simon Allard pointed him first-over up the backstretch to chase down pacesetter Major Betts and win by three-quarters of a length. Twin B Tuffenuff rode the pocket to finish third, another length in arrears.
Bill MacKenzie trains Southwind Ozzi, a 19-time winner with over $950,000 in career earnings, for Vincent Ali Jr. and Alma Iafelice.
Berry led all drivers with four wins on the 14-race card.
Racing returns to Harrah's Philadelphia on Wednesday (Aug. 18), with another 14-race program slated. First post is 12:25 p.m. (EDT).
(Harrah's Philadelphia)