Hawthorne Race Course hosted the last two series finals for the winter meet on Friday night (Feb. 5) as the females were featured in the Pretty Direct and Ohyouprettything Pacing Series.
Race seven was the $14,600 Pretty Direct Pacing Series final with a field of eight lining up behind the gate. The favourite was Whiskersonkittens as she and driver Robert Smolin had won each of the first two legs of the series.
At the start of the Pretty Direct final, it was Pacifire that tried to leave for the lead, but had to work a bit to clear Fox Valley Brooke. Lovethewayoulook made an early move on the backstretch to take over into the far turn. After a half in :57.3, Lovethewayoutlook was challenged by If I Didnt Dream while Whiskersonkittens circled five-wide. In the stretch, the momentum of Whiskersonkittens carried her to the victory as the 7-5 choice in 1:55.1. Fox Valley Gypsy finished a half-length back in second while If I Didnt Dream was third.
Whiskersonkittens swept all three races in the series for owner Ronald Knupp. She is trained by Kimberly Roth.
The following race was the $19,000 final of the Ohyouprettything Pacing Series with a field of 10 heading to the starting gate. The heavy favourite was Mystical Nectar as she looked to sweep the series.
Early on, there were numerous lead changes and eventually second choice Fox Valley Bailey led the field into the turn. While favourite Mystical Nectar was starting to move from far back, Lollipop and Todd Warren got the jump and grabbed the lead into the stretch. The 38-1 shot Lollipop was able to hold off the late move of 55-1 shot Girls Girls Girls for the 1:56.2 victory. Mystical Nectar finished third.
Lollipop is owned by James Reynolds and Combs Investments Inc. and trained by Ronnie Roberts.
(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)