With Hawthorne’s Night of Champions just over one week away, seven races took place for fillies and mares as the fields for the finals get sorted out. The Illinois-restricted races will culminate in 11 finals on Saturday, September 23.

The action kicked off in race two on the Friday card with leg four of the Beulah Dygert Memorial trot for three-year-old fillies. A field of five was led by Annas Lucky Star with Kyle Wilfong in the bike.

Getting away for the lead was Lous Credit Report and Mike Oosting but Wilfong and Annas Lucky Star took over quickly through the quarter in :29.3. After a half in :59.2, Annas Lucky Star maintained her lead into the turn. Opening up two lengths through three quarters in 1:28.2, Annas Lucky Star faced a challenge by Daisy Lou Duke while Lous Credit Report tried hard along the inside. At the wire, Annas Lucky Star was too good, winning by a length over Lous Credit Report. Daisy Lou Duke finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:56.2.

Annas Lucky Star is owned by Danny Graham and trained by Terry Winemiller.

Race three on Friday was the first of two divisions of the Fox Valley Flan for two-year-old filly trotters as Lous Silver Star was scratched, leaving a field of five.

Trotting Grace was the heavy favourite with Kyle Husted driving. Making the front was Fox Valley Winnie as Trotting Grace tucked in just behind through the quarter in :29.3. After a half in 1:00.0, Fox Valley Winnie continued to lead into the turn. After three quarters in 1:29.4, Trotting Grace tipped out and moved to challenge Fox Valley Winnie as she quickly opened up in the lane. Winning by three lengths on the wire was Trotting Grace, followed by a late move by Powerful Temptrist to finish second while Fox Valley Winnie held third. The final time for the mile was 1:59.2.

Trotting Grace is owned by Bill Wright, Mystical Marker Farms LLC and Steve Searle and trained by Steve Searle.

Race four was the second division of the Fox Valley Flan with a field of six led by Maui Mama with Casey Leonard driving. After a recall, the field was lined up a second time with Good Design breaking before the start. Making the lead was White Pants Fever as she opened up a three length lead early through the quarter in :30. On the backside, the field tightened up as White Pants Fever held a length advantage through the half in 1:01.3. After three quarters in 1:31.2, White Pants Fever faced a challenge from Fox Valley Unleash and Maui Mama. With a late move, Maui Mama got up in time to win by a half-length over Fox Valley Unleash while White Pants Fever held third. The final time was 1:59.4.

Maui Mama is owned by Bill Wright and trained by Mike Brink.

Race five was the first division of the Plum Peachy for three-year-old filly pacers as a field of eight was headed by Fancy Creek Jolene with Tim Curtin driving.

Leaving for the lead was San Antonio Rose along with My Mona Me but it was San Antonio Rose who led through the quarter in :27.2. After a quick half in :55.1, San Antonio Rose held a two-length advantage into the turn. Passing three quarters in 1:23.1, San Antonio Rose was all out into the lane as Boogie On Down and Fancy Creek Jolene angled out to rally. Cleverly handled by Kyle Husted, San Antonio Rose had enough left to hold on, winning by a length over the late rushing Fancy Creek Jolene. Boogie On Down finished third. The final time was a quick 1:52.2 for San Antonio Rose

She is owned by George Pollock and Kay Bartlow and trainer Nick Prather.

Race six was the first division of the Incredible Tillie for two-year-old filly pacers with a field of nine. Favoured was Fox Valley Jazzy for driver Ridge Warren.

Heading for the lead was Rollin Coal and Casey Leonard but Fox Valley Jazzy moved to challenge through the quarter in :29. On the backside, the favourite took over, passing the half in :58.2. On the turn, The Sis Master ranged up to press Fox Valley Jazzy, as the duo passed three quarters in 1:27.2. In the lane, Fox Valley Jazzy was all out as Rollin Coal moved to her outside to challenge. After a battle through the final sixteenth, Fox Valley Jazzy held off the late rally of Rollin Coal, winning by a head in 1:55.1. Frontier Cuzin finished third.

Fox Valley Jazzy is owned by Cathy Finn-Kanitz and trained by Dale Kanitz.

Race seven was the Maurello prep for aged filly and mare pacers with an evenly matched field of eight. Favoured at off time was Joyful Game with Rick Dane, Jr. driving.

Getting away for the front was Bucklegirl Bobette from the inside but Joyful Game quickly moved up and led briefly before Whiskersonkittens passed her at the quarter in :30.4. On the backside, Whiskersonkittens held a three-length advantage through the half in :59.1. Opening up a six-length lead through three quarters in 1:26.2, Whiskersonkittens was well clear into the lane. Closing late was Bucklegirl Bobette and Kyle Wilfong as they rallied to catch Whiskersonkittens nearing the wire. Phyllis Jean finished third. The final time was 1:53.2 for the winner for trainer Robert Walker.

Race eight was the second division of the Incredible Tillie as The New Americana was the heavy favourite in the eight-horse field.

Leaving for the front was Allbeastnobeauty but Red Hot Packerette was faster from the inside as the pair passed the quarter in :28.4. On the backside, The New Americana moved up to take over, covering the opening half in :57.3. On the turn, The New Americana opened a two-length lead, through three quarters in 1:27. In the stretch, The New Americana opened up and was able to hold off a late move by Allbeastnobeauty while Red Hot Packerette held third. The final time for the mile was 1:54.3.

The New Americana is owned by Chris Mroz, Dave Falzone and James Molitor and trained by Steve Searle.

Race nine was the second division of the Plum Peachy as Ladys Party was the favourite in the nine-horse field.

Getting away for the early lead was the favourite as she backed things down through the opening quarter in :29.2. After a half in :58.3, Ladys Party led the field into the turn. Moving mid-turn was Princess Sage as Ladys Party passed three quarters in 1:26.2. In the lane, Ladys Party faced a challenge from My Kind Of Dance but was able to hold on by a head at the wire. Princess Sage finished third. Final time for the mile was 1:53.4.

Ladys Party is owned by Mitchell Titus and Dennis Wright and trained by Terry Leonard.

(Hawthorne)