On Saturday evening (June 4) at Hawthorne Race Course, a pair of divisions of leg one of the Robert F. Carey Memorial Pace took place. The Carey Memorial is for Illinois-bred three-year-old colts and geldings.

Contested over a fast track, the first division of the Carey Memorial looked to be Dan D Dune’s to lose, but he was a late scratch, just three races prior to the race. That opened things up in the field of nine as Caffeine Kid and Todd Warren became the post time favourites.

Leaving for the lead early was Impressive Art through the opening quarter in :28.4. Moving first on the backstretch was Caffeine Kid as he assumed command to the half in :58.2. Leading into the stretch following three-quarters in 1:27.1, Caffeine Kid faced a challenge of Wondrous Sport and Goinduneside. In the end, Caffeine Kid held on by a quarter-length over Goinduneside with Impressive Art finishing third. The final time for the mile was 1:55.2.

Owned by Peter Karras and trained by Rodney Freese, Caffeine Kid returned $3.80, $2.40, and $2.10. Goinduneside came back $3.20 and $2.80 while Impressive Art returned $2.20 to show.

In the second division of leg one of the Carey Memorial, Royale Rose was the favourite at 1-5. Multiple horses left for the lead as Red Dog Ryan went early, but Royale Rose had to work through the quarter in :29.2. Following a half in :57.4, Royale Rose opened up two lengths into the stretch. Through three-quarters in 1:26.2, Royale Rose shortened strides as 50-1 shot Holdonwererolling and Todd Warren flew late to get up by a half-length in 1:54.1. Royale Rose finished second while J Bs Hero was third.

Owned by Jesse and Austin Patrick DeLong and trained by Rob Rittof, Holdonwererolling paid $108.00, $18.60, and $8.20. Royale Rose came back $2.20 and $2.40. J Bs Hero paid $9.40 to show.

(Hawthorne Race Course)