Three-year-old Illinois-bred colt and gelding pacers were the focus at Hawthorne Race Course on Saturday evening (June 3) as two opening leg divisions of the Robert F. Carey Memorial Pace took place.

Race six was the first division with a field of nine sent to the gate. Royale Big Guy was the favourite as Jim Pantaleano flew into town for the drive. Commondiscourtesy left for the lead through a quarter in :28.1. On the backside, Gabe Henry moved to challenge and took over through the half in :56.3. On the turn, Royale Big Guy tipped out to challenge Gabe Henry and the two raced head-to-head through three-quarters in 1:25. After a long stretch duel, Royale Big Guy led late and just held on as Captain Rhett closed with a rush to finish second. Gabe Henry held third. The stewards called an inquiry on Gabe Henry for a possible incident nearing the half-mile pole but no action was taken. The final time for the mile was 1:53.2. Royale Big Guy is owned by Megan Rogers Racing Stables Inc. and trained by Norm Parker.

Race eight was the second division of leg one of the Robert F. Carey Memorial. Sporty Redhot was scratched, leaving a field of eight horses. Fox Valley Herbie was the favourite for Mike Oosting. In Your Eye left for the lead, covering the quarter in :29.3. On the backside, second-choice Fox Valley Nemitz took over through a half in :58.1. On the turn, Fox Valley Nemitz held the lead through three-quarters in 1:26.2. In the stretch, Casey Leonard roused Fox Valley Nemitz as In Your Eye tipped out and was asked but Fox Valley Nemitz was too good, winning going away. In Your Eye was second while Fox Valley Herbie was third. The final time for the mile was 1:53.1. Fox Valley Nemitz is owned by Fox Valley Standardbreds and trained by Nick Giberson. The win was one of five on the card for Leonard.

(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)