Last night the ladies were the focus, but tonight (Saturday, June 25) at Hawthorne Race Course, the boys took the stage with four divisions of leg one of the Incredible Finale Stakes for two-year-olds.
On a clear evening, over a fast track, Sork was the heavy 1-5 favourite in the first division, race two on the card. Leading early was Uptown Sleaze through a quarter in :29.4. After the half in :59.1, Uptown Sleaze was still clear into the turn. Sork and Todd Warren began their move after three-quarters in 1:28.4, but Uptown Sleaze battled on gamely for driver Kyle Wilfong along the inside and held off Sork by a length at the wire in 1:56.4. Sammy Sagebrush finished third.
Owned by Engel Stable of IL LLC and trained by Nelson Willis, Uptown Sleaze was 12-1, returning $26.60, $4.80, and $4.60. Sork returned $2.10 and $2.10 while Sammy Sagebrush paid $8.80 to show.
Race four on Saturday evening was the second division of the Incredible Finale and Upbeat Big Guy was sent away as the favourite. Spirited Encounter moved early to take the lead after a quarter in :31.1. At the half, Causway came back to lead in 1:00.4 as Spirited Encounter broke stride. Fox Valley Reggie moved to the lead by the three-quarters mark in 1:29.1, but shortened late as Fox Valley Jeter and Casey Leonard prevailed. Causway got up for second while Slzburgerslzburger finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:58.
Owned by Phil Langley, Christine Buttice, and trainer James Eaton, Fox Valley Jeter paid $16.40, $7.20, and $3.60. Causway paid $5.60 and $2.80 while Slzburgerslzburger returned $3.20 to show.
Race six was the third division of the Incredible Finale with Sporty Redhot the race favourite. Ima Skydancer and driver Ryan Anderson carved out the early fractions of :31, :59.4 and 1:28.1. Battling into the lane, Ima Skydancer gave way as Royale Big Guy took over, but Sporty Redhot was quick to move. He drew clear for driver Todd Warren to score in 1:56.3. Royale Big Guy held second while Tiny Jim finished third.
Owned by Al Beals and trained by Kim Roth, Sporty Redhot returned $4.20, $2.80, and $2.80. Royale Big Guy paid $5.40 and $5.20 while Tiny Jim paid $7.00 to show.
The final division of the Incredible Finale had Fox Valley Inferno as the post time favourite in race seven. Captain Rhett left for the lead and made the quarter in :30. First up to challenge was Sullivan, leading to the half in :58.1. He covered three-quarters in 1:27.3, but Gabe Henry was moving strongly for Todd Warren and cruised to the victory in 1:55.3. Fox Valley Inferno was second and Captain Rhett finished third.
Owned by Carol Graham and trained by Thomas Graham, Gabe Henry returned $9.60, $3.60, and $2.40. Fox Valley Inferno came back $3.00 and $2.10. Fox Valley Sparty returned $2.80 to show.
(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)