Harrah's Philadelphia: Anoka Hanover, Southwind Ozzi take qualifiers

Last season's 2-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year, Anoka Hanover, and 2019 Little Brown Jug champion Southwind Ozzi were impressive winners during Tuesday morning qualifiers at Harrah's Philadelphia.

In her first competitive start since winning the Goldsmith Maid last November, Anoka Hanover pounced from the pocket and won handily in 1:55 3/5 over a "good" track. A 10-time winner as a baby, the daughter of Donato Hanover looked ready to start another successful campaign, with Todd McCarthy driving for trainer Noel Daley, the latter co-owner with Caviart Farms, Crawford Farms Racing, and L. A. Express Stable LLC.

The Somebeachsomewhere gelding Southwind Ozzi blistered the Philly oval with a 1:50 3/5 wire-to-wire victory, including twin back quarters of 27 1/5. After his $800,000+-winning campaign at 3 that included The Adios and the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship, Southwind Ozzi couldn't quite go against the FFA boys, although he did notch all four of his wins, including a 1:48 4/5 victory at Harrah's Philly. Tim Tetrick guided the Bill MacKenzie trainee for owners Vincent Ali Jr. and Alma Iafelice, who obviously hope for their fast pacer's bounceback to prior form.

Scottish, an altered sophomore son of the late Kadabra, didn't race at 2 and had made a break in his only other "Q" outing this year, but he put it all together Tuesday for the wife/husband team of trainer Julie and driver Andy Miller, trotting in 1:55 2/5 with a last half of 56. This one may be one to watch if he can continue development for owners Jason and Douglas Allen.

Fastest of all the successful sophomore qualifiers was the Always B Miki pacing filly So Miki Hanover, also for Andy and Julie Miller, and also going wire-to-wire in a 1:53 2/5 mile. So Miki Hanover had a win and two seconds in three freshman outings, but her time suggests she may be a late bloomer for Michael Cimaglio, A And B Stable, and Charles Elliott.

Tim Tetrick was tops with four driving victories Tuesday morning; Julie Miller sent out three winners.

-edited release (PHHA/Harrah's Philadelphia)