Hawthorne Race Course featured Illinois-bred three-year-old fillies in two eliminations of the Violet Stakes on Friday evening (July 7).

Race two was the first of the $6,000 eliminations and a field of eight lined up behind the starting gate. Filly Forty was favoured with Jamaica Patton driving. Longshot Jewels Hall made the lead through the quarter in :28.4. On the backside, Ashlees Cocktail took over, covering the half in :58. On the turn, Razzleme Dazzleme moved to challenge Ashlees Cocktail through three-quarters in 1:27.2. In the lane, Filly Forty rallied and grabbed the lead late, drawing clear by two lengths at the wire in 1:54.3. Fancy Creek Jolene closed late to finish second while Dandys Dududidudu was third. Filly Forty is owned by A Piece Of The Action LLC and trained by Donna Holt.

Race three was the second of the Violet eliminations with nine pacers starting and A Real Doozie was sent off as the favourite with Mike Oosting in the bike. San Antonio Rose left for the front but My Kind of Dance pushed her through the quarter in :27.3. On the backstretch, San Antonio Rose assumed command, passing the half in :56.2. Into the turn, A Real Doozie took over and opened up the lead. After three-quarters in 1:25, A Real Doozie faced a challenge from Ladys Party. Late in the lane, A Real Doozie was game, but in the shadow of the wire Ladys Party and Casey Leonard got up by a head to catch A Real Doozie. My Kind of Dance finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:53.1. Ladys Party is owned by Mitchell Titus and Dennis Wright and trained by Terry Leonard.

(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)