A little bit of pre-race rain didn’t dampen the evening at Hawthorne as six races of stakes action took place on Thursday evening.

Two divisions of leg two of the Fox Valley Flan Stakes and Kadabra Stakes for Illinois-bred two-year-old trotting females and males respectively took place early in the evening. Later in the card were the three-year-old female and male trot eliminations for the Violet and Cardinal Stakes.

First up on the evening was the first division of leg two of the Fox Valley Flan Stakes with a field of nine Illinois-bred two-year-old filly trotters lined up. Favoured was Beatrice for trainer James Eaton and driver Casey Leonard.

Getting away quickly was Shes Savvy as she covered the opening quarter in :30.4 while favoured Beatrice broke stride. On the backside, Shes Savvy continued the lead while Fox Valley Elana tracked the pace. After a half in 1:02, Lucy Quaider moved to challenge Shes Savvy on the turn. At the top of the stretch in three quarters in 1:32.1, Shes Savvy continued to lead. Shes Savvy held firm in the lane, holding off Lucy Quaider. Fox Valley Elana was a tough luck third. Final time for the mile was 2:01.4.

Owned by Lyle Scurlock and Nicole Potts and trained by Lyle Scurlock, Shes Savvy returned $5.40 to win.

Race three on Thursday brought out the Illinois-bred boys in the first division of leg two of the Kadabra Stakes. A full field of ten faced off with Trixies Jethro as the heavy favourite.

Making the early lead was the favourite as he set the opening quarter in :30.2. On the backstretch, Louscipher moved to challenge the favourite but was unable to make the top after a half in 1:00.3. On the turn, the 1-9 favourite Trixies Jethro and Jared Finn continued to lead. After three quarters in 1:31.4, Trixies Jethro was challenged and passed by Totally Pazzazzed and Casey Leonard as that one flew by late. Totally Pazzazzed stopped the clock in 2:01.1, Trixies Jethro was second, Marching To Zion finished third.

Owned by James and Tracey Walker and trained by Nick Giberson, Totally Pazzazzed paid $54.60 to win.

Race four Thursday was the second division of leg two of the Fox Valley Flan Stakes as Lous Game N Match was a late scratch. Favoured was Scarlet Ribbons and driver Casey Leonard.

Leaving quickly from the outside was Hannahs Lil Prayer and Betsy B Breeze but Siss Ellie Mae held the lead through the quarter in :30.4. At the half, Betsy B Breeze moved to take over in 1:01.2 as she was followed by Lous Credit Report. After three quarters in 1:30.3, Betsy B Breeze held the lead but Dandys ESP and Todd Warren rallied to win by six lengths in 2:00.4.

Sent off at 26-1, Dandys ESP is owned by Dandy Farms Inc., Linda and Robert Grider and trained by Rob Rittof. She returned $55.00 to win.

Race six was the second division of the Kadabra Stakes as Matt Q was looking to repeat his victory in leg one of the stakes.

Looking for the lead early was longshot Jungleland through a quarter in :31.1. With little movement on the backstretch through the half in 1:03.2, Jungleland led but Matt Q moved on the turn and took over through three quarters in 1:33.3. In the stretch, Matt Q led as Cassisandfifth moved into second but Matt Q was well clear, winning in 2:02.3. Cassisandfifth held second while Photo Phred was third. Photo Phred was disqualified for violating the breaking rule and placed fifth, moving New Pay up to third.

Owned by Quaid Racing LLC and trained by Nelson Willis, Matt Q was driven by Casey Leonard and returned $2.80, to win.

Race eight was the Violet Stakes elimination for three-year-old filly trotters as the top eight finishers were set to join Powerful Princess and Surviver Di in next week’s final.

Favoured was Vengeful as post time as that one got away well through the quarter in :29. After a half in :58.2, Vengeful held the lead while longshot Fox Valley Mirage tracked. Covering three quarters in 1:28.1 for Todd Warren, Vengeful opened the lead and drew clear. Vengeful won by three lengths over More Than Likely, Fox Valley Bugatti finished third. Final time was 1:58.2.

Owned by Providence West Inc. and trained by Kenny Collier, Vengeful returned $3.40 to win.

Three-year-old Colt and Gelding trotters were on hand for the Cardinal Stakes elimination as the top seven finishers were set to join Mr Strata, Primed N Powerful and Hail Caesar in next week’s final.

Sent away as the favourite was Fear for Todd Warren. Fear headed straight for the lead through the opening quarter in :28.4 and opened up a four-length lead. After a half in :57.2, Fear maintained the large lead into the turn. On the turn, Wrightwood began to move but Fear was still up through three-quarters in 1:26.4. In the lane, Fear maintained his lead and won by eight lengths. Wrightwood finished second while Powerful Father was third. Fear won in a career best time of 1:57.

Owned by Providence West Inc and trained by Kenny Collier, Fear paid $2.40 to win.

(Hawthorne)