There figures to be action aplenty Friday night at Maywood Park, as Illinois’ best two-year-old pacers of both sexes will be featured in the $60,350 final of the Cardinal Stakes for the colts and the $54,800 final of the Violet Stakes for the fillies.

Fresh off a convincing six and a half-length romp in his elimination last week, the Roger Welch-trained Hes So Hot has been installed as the 2-1 morning favourite from Post 2 in the Cardinal final. The gelded son of Sportsmaster had no trouble overcoming Post 7 in his elim, as he shrugged off a tough first-over journey before drawing away in the lane to win in 1:54.4. The victory was the sixth in nine starts this year for the Governor’s Cup and Mini Me Stakes champion.

The Robert Taylor-trained and driven Mr Bedrock was also very impressive while taking his elim in 1:56.2 despite being first over for the final five-eighths of a mile. The Richess Hanover colt has been first or second in eight of 11 starts this season for the Mack Racing Stables.

Another to keep an eye on is the late-blooming Fox Valley Mercury, who posted a come from behind victory in 1:55.4 last week. After a late start to his freshman campaign, the Homer Hochstetler trainee now sports a record of 4-3-1 from 10 starts. He is also the fastest youngster in this group with his 1:52.1 clocking at Balmoral Park.

Pardon has been at the top of the filly ranks all season long, and the good-looking daughter of Richess Hanover will be the one to beat despite having drawn Post 7 in the Violet final. The Dirk Simpson trainee stormed right to the top in her elim. She made every call a winning one in 1:55.4. She has won 10 of 11 career starts and holds a mark of 1:52.3. She has been installed as the 7-5 morning line favourite.

Fox Valley Touche, who has drawn Post 1, has been the only one to knock off Pardon this season, as she beat her by three-quarters of a length in the Filly Orange & Blue on Super Night. The Joel Smith trainee was a wire-to-wire winner in 1:55 in her Violet elim and she is coming into the affair with a three-race win streak and victories in four of her last six outings.

The ultra-consistent Little Miss Henry also has to be considered after having posted a neck decision in her elim.

(With files from Maywood)