Southwind Ozzi cruises to 7-length victory in $400K Adios

Five weeks after undergoing emergency hernia surgery, Southwind Ozzi won the $400,000 Delvin Miller Adios by seven lengths on Saturday at The Meadows.

Driven by Brian Sears, the 3-year-old pacer finished in 1 minute, 48 seconds, the second-fastest mile in the 53-year history of the race. It was the third Adios title for Sears. Dave Palone-driven Prince Of Tides finished second and Stag Party third.

It was the third Adios title for Sears, who won with Pine Valley (2001) and Delmarvalous (2010). Trainer Bill MacKenzie, who conditions the son of Somebeachsomewhere-Southwind Solara, became an Adios winner for the first time.

“That’s what great horses do, and after the way he raced today, I’m beginning to think he’s a great horse,” MacKenzie said. “He’s never raced badly for us.”

Southwind Ozzi, who had a testicle removed during the surgery, became the first ridgling to win the Pace for the Orchids.

Southwind Ozzi got away fourth, as Prince Of Tides and Palone made fast fractions of 25.3 seconds and 53.3 seconds.

“I liked the way things were setting up,” Sears said. “They were going so fast that they couldn’t really shut it down that much. I had sent him first up before, and he didn’t seem to mind it. He’s a pleasure to drive. He makes my job easy.”