Trainer Steve Carter sends a pair of talented sophomore pacers into tonight’s final of the James K. Hackett Memorial at Lebanon Raceway that are sure to get considerable support from bettors.

The morning line favourite at 2-1 odds is Firetowers Stand, a winner of three of his four starts this season for Carter after not racing as a two-year-old. He sports a 1:56.3s win this season and will start from post five with Kayne Kauffman in the bike.

Carter’s other Hackett hopeful is Dusto, third in his only start this season. He has post two and the driving services of Chris Page, the fifth-leading dash winner in North America in 2013. The oddsmaker has rated Dusto at 5-2.

Lebanon bettors know from experience that you never overlook Ohio Hall of Famer Chip Noble, and he will drive his trainee My Last Chance from post one. He’s at 3-1 in the morning line.

The remaining three horses in the six-horse field are Phantom Flasher, Feel N Funk E, and Hanky L. The $15,000 event for Ohio-sired sophomores honours the memory of the Ohio horseman who drove Best Of All to victory in the 1967 Little Brown Jug.

Cating Around is the even-money favourite in the Hackett Memorial for fillies, also for Ohio-sired fillies and carrying a purse of $15,000. She overwhelmed her rivals in last week’s elimination heat with a 1:57.2 mile and she starts from the rail in the final.

Page drives Cating Around for trainer Brian Brown and she’ll be looking for her second win in as many starts this season.

Cating Around is renewing her rivalry with Igottafeelinfran as the two fillies tangled last year in Ohio Sires Stakes events. Igottafeelinfran will have Dan Noble in the bike and she’ll start from post three with morning line odds of 2-1.

Hoping to take advantage of duel between Cating Around and Igottafeelinfran is C G Satin, a winner this year in 1:57.4h. Kauffman will steer her from post seven.

The others in the field are rated as longshots. They are Crosswind Colleen, Melissa L, Rain Dance Maggy, Sams Silly Lily, and Ms Memphis Bird.

The Hackett Memorials are longtime features at Lebanon and will serve as a springboard for the opening of the Ohio Sires Stakes season next weekend at Lebanon.

(Ohio State Racing Commission)