The ladies were the focus on Friday evening at Hawthorne Race Course as divisions of the Ohyouprettything and Pretty Direct Pacing Series took place.
The Ohyouprettything went in four divisions and was for fillies and mares that had not won two pari-mutuel races or $10,000 lifetime as of December 1, 2015. The Pretty Direct was also for the females, non-winners of five pari-mutuel races or $25,000 lifetime as of December 1, 2015.
The opener on Friday was the first division of the Ohyouprettything Series as Flight On Time was sent off as the choice. Much like Thursday’s card, speed did not hold though as Tamarac Smoochie settled behind the early pace and found room in the stretch to win going away. Driven by Casey Leonard, Tamarac Smoochie was 5-1 and covered the mile in 1:58.3. A Very Nice Dragon was second and Going Shooten finished third.
The second division of the Ohyouprettything was a very tight finish and proved to be some tense moments for those playing the favourite. A big late wager pushed Mystical Nectar down to 1-5 favouritism. She tipped out late in the lane and moved late, but just held on to win by a head over Backwoods Barbie. Simon Allard drove Mystical Nectar for trainer Tyler Nostadt as they covered the mile in 1:56.4. Nashville Nasty rallied late to finish third.
The Pretty Direct Pacing Series kicked off in race three on the Friday Hawthorne card as a field of seven lined up. Colorful Sky left and set the early fractions as she tried to back down the pace. The field bunched at the top of the stretch as Casey Leonard and favourite Fox Valley Gypsy angled out from sixth and began to rally. She got up in time to win in 1:55.3. Fox Valley Brooke was second while Addie Rose finished third.
The third division of the Ohyouprettything Pacing Series proved to be another race where the winner closed from well back. Savoya Cruiser carved out the early fractions, but in the lane LKs Nancy Lee angled out and closed strongly to win with Dale Hiteman in the sulky. Burry Me Inthesand rallied late for place as Our Miss Leah finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:58.1 as LKs Nancy Lee was bet down to 2-1 favouritism.
The second division of the Pretty Direct followed on the Friday card and featured a heavy favourite in Lovethewayoulook. She was in a tough spot early as she settled at the back of the pack from the start. She was first to move and swept up to the lead into the far turn. She wasn’t able to sustain her rally though as Whiskersonkittens and driver Robert Smolin closed for the victory. Pacifire gained late for place while Lovethewayoulook was out-finished for third. The final time was 1:55.4.
The final division of the Ohyouprettything looked to be a wide open race going in and ended up being more than that way in the end. While favourites Gossip Model and Lollipop were contesting things into the lane, 132-1 Luvly Lil Terror found room late and squeezed through for the victory. Driver Pat Curtin won for trainer Loralee Johnson as Luvly Lil Terror paid $266 for the victory. The final time for the race was 1:55.2.
(Hawthorne Race Course)