Saturday evening at Hawthorne featured a pair of solid fields in two divisions of leg three of the Robert F. Carey Memorial, an Illinois-bred three-year-old colt and gelding pacing stake.
In the first division, Fox Valley Nemitz was the heavy favourite with Casey Leonard in the bike. Getting away quickly for the lead was Sporty Redhot as he cleared and opened up a five length lead through the quarter in :29.1.
On the backside, the field bunched up, following a break by Causway as Sporty Redhot covered the half in :59.1. On the turn, Fox Valley Inferno moved to challenge Sporty Redhot as the pair passed three quarters in 1:27.1.
In the lane, Juan Franco got after Sporty Redhot as he opened up again on the lead. At the wire, Sporty Redhot prevailed by a length over Fox Valley Inferno in 1:54.1. Fox Valley Reggie was third. The final time for the mile was 1:54.1. Sporty Redhot is owned by Al Beals and trained by Kim Roth.
In the second division of the Carey Memorial, nine competitors lined up led by favorite Ima Skydancer with Tim Curtin driving.
Making the early lead was Fox Valley Herbie but he was quickly headed by Ima Skydancer through the quarter in :29.2. After a half in :58.1, Ima Skydancer maintained his lead into the final turn. Moving to challenge was Captain Rhett as he pushed the favorite through three quarters in 1:26.3.
In the lane, Fox Valley Herbie tipped three wide and took over late for Mike Oosting, winning by widening lengths at the wire in 1:53.4. Slzburgerslzburger closed to finish second while Decent Sawyer was third. Fox Valley Herbie is owned by Benita Simmons and trained by Tom Simmons.
(With files from Hawthorne)