Wednesday night kicked off the first legs of the Whizzer R. White and Suburban Downs Pacing Series at Hawthorne Race Course.
The Whizzer R. White had an overflow amount of entries and was split into five divisions while the Suburban Downs went with two divisions.
Conditions for the Whizzer R. White were for colts, horses, and geldings that had not won two pari-mutuel races or $10,000 lifetime as of December 1, 2015. The Suburban Downs series was for colts, horses, and geldings that had not won five pari-mutuel races for $25,000 lifetime as of December 1, 2015.
In leg one of the Whizzer R. White pacing series, the first division kicked off the evening as a three-way battle ensued in the stretch. In the end, it was the first over move by Pillage And Burn, with Casey Leonard driving, to defeat Party Falls. Trixsen Gram finished third in 1:57 for the mile over the fast track. Pillage And Burn won as the even-money choice.
The second division came down to a photo finish as Todd Warren and Always Kenzer just got up in time to best Ridge Warren and One To Draw To, who had set the early fractions throughout. The pacers closed quickly once again as the final time in the father/son battle was 1:56.1. Duneside Sport finished third in the second division. Always Kenzer won at 9-2.
Division three became a one-horse affair as Trace Tetrick was in to drive for brother, Tom. Settling early, Tetrick and Over Friskie moved early to the lead and opened up their advantage into the far turn. The margin only widened into the stretch as Over Friskie was well clear, stopping the clock in 1:54.4. Lyons Jimmydean came back for second after breaking stride prior to the start and Mr Mark Patrick was third. Over Friskie was the 4-5 favourite.
The fourth division showcased another quick move on the turn by driver Trace Tetrick with Ocaptain Mycaptain as he tried to steal the race, but it wasn’t to be this time as Travis Seekman confidently handled Prince Bayard to the victory at 7-2. Mr Pickpocket rallied late for place while Ocaptain Mycaptain was third. The final time was 1:56.
The fifth and final division of the Whizzer R. White series had a pace battle early as three contended for the early lead. In the end, it was the closers once again as 8-1 shot Lil Orphan Elmer rallied for the score with Kyle Wilfong in the sulky. 43-1 longshot Gunny Wilson closed late for place over favourite Red Red Redneck. The final time was 2:00.1.
The Suburban Downs pacing series went later in the evening with two divisions facing off. In the first division, Why Ask Why continued his winning ways as he way able to overcome the outside post and rally for the victory with Ridge Warren driving. Sir Mammo battled on to finish second while Kolt Power rallied late for third. Why Ask Why was sent off at 5-1 and stopped the clock in 1:54.3.
The second division of the Suburban Downs pacing series was a battle to the wire as Freedomformysoul just held off The Optimist. Freedomformysoul was driven by Simon Allard and moved to the lead early. After being headed in the lane, he fought back gamely for the victory in 1:56.3. The Optimist finished second, Officially Yours was third.
(Hawthorne Race Course)