A trio of series finals highlighted the Saturday, May 27 program of racing at Hawthorne Race Course.
Race 4 on Saturday evening kicked off the first of three finals, as the Bob Larry final for pacers that had not won $30,000 lifetime through the end of March took place. Hot Rod Dylan was the heavy 2-5 favourite with driver Mike Oosting in the bike. Sporty Redhot got away quickly, through the opening quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, the favourite took over, covering the half in :57 and three quarters in 1:25.3. In the lane, Oosting roused the favourite and he responded, holding sway for a length and a half score. Hot Rod Dylan stopped the clock in 1:52.2. Longshot Bowedfortyova closed to finish second while Sporty Redhot held third. Hot Rod Dylan is owned by Shirley Le Vin and trained by Nelson Willis.
Race 5 was the final in the Mike Paradise series for Illinois-bred three-year-old pacers that were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime through the end of March. In Your Eye was sent away as the 8-5 choice for driver Ridge Warren. At the start, Commondiscourtesy got away fastest of all, covering the quarter in :28.2 and the half in :58.1. In the turn, second-choice Sullivan made a quick move, leading the field into the lane through three quarters in 1:25.4. In the stretch, Warren tipped In Your Eye wide as he closed with a rush, winning by a length and a quarter. In Your Eye covered the mile in 1:54.2. Ima Skydancer finished second while Sullivan held third. In Your Eye is owned by James Behrendt and trained by Mike Brown.
Race 10 was the $20,000 featured Cicero Claiming Series final and Maserati Seelster looked for a series sweep and was sent away at 3-5. Driver Tyler Shehan sent the favourite away at the start, through fractions of :28.3, :56.4 and 1:25.1. Mobil Big John chased the entire way, ranging up to challenge the favourite in the lane. After a stretch duel, Mobil Big John and driver Ryan Anderson emerged on top, catching Maserati Seelster, who was also outfinished by late-closing Bestnotlie Hanover. Mobil Big John finished in 1:52.3. The 7-2 second-choice is owned by Eulalia Rivera and trained by Loralee Johnson.
(Hawthorne Race Course)