Thursday evening at Hawthorne featured leg on action in two divisions of the Kadabra stakes and Fox Valley Flan stakes.
The Kadabra is for Illinois-bred, two-year-old colt and gelding trotters while the Fox Valley Flan is for state-bred two-year-old filly trotters.
Race one was the first division of the Kadabra as Fox Valley Picaso entered as a heavy favourite off his easy victory in the Cardinal two weeks ago. Breaking before the start was Rusty Red Valor as the favourite cleared the lead, passing the opening quarter in :29.3. On the backstretch, Crackerjack Bill moved to challenge, but Casey Leonard and Fox Valley Picaso didn’t allow that to last for long as they moved back to the front prior to the half in 1:01. After three-quarters in 1:32.3, Fox Valley Picaso was given a little urging and responded nicely, opening up to win clearly. The final time for the mile was 2:02.2. Longshot Frontier Manard closed to finish second while Crackerjack Bill held third.
Fox Valley Picaso is owned by Todd John and trained by Herman Wheeler.
Race two was the first division of the Fox Valley Flan series as Lous Mistress was scratched, leaving a field of six, led by favourite Heidi High for owner, trainer, and driver Charles Arthur. Breaking prior to the start was second choice Puddin Cheeks, leaving favoured Heidi High to make the lead through the quarter in :30. After a half in 1:00.2, Heidi High maintained her lead into the far turn. Slowing things down to 1:31.2 through three quarters, Heidi High was clear into the lane, but E L Game On and driver Kyle Wilfong started to move. Late in the lane, E L Game On caught Heidi High, winning in 2:01. Heidi High held second while longshot Lou Scion Lou finished third.
E L Game On is owned by Donald and Sharri Huddleston and trained by Michael Rogers.
The third race on the Thursday card was the second division of the Kadabra stakes with Prince Cassis the favourite for driver Casey Leonard. Gaining the early advantage was Prince Cassis as he rolled through the opening quarter in :31.4. Recognizing the slow pace was Kyle Husted and Foxvalleysrushhour, passing the half in 1:04. After three quarters in 1:34.4, Foxvalleysrushhour led the field into the stretch, with Prince Cassis and Trixies Turbo both on the move. The trio was within a length of one another mid-stretch, with Trixies Turbo moving the best of all, emerging on top of Foxvalleysrushhour and Prince Cassis. The final time for the mile was 2:03.2.
Trixies Turbo is owned by Charles Doehring and trained by Heather Stell.
Race four was the second division of the Fox Valley Flan as a field of seven was led by Encantado and driver Kyle Husted. Leaving for the lead was Friday Im In Love as she passed the opening quarter in :30.4. After a half in 1:02.2, Friday Im In Love led the field into the turn as Encantado and Louzotic were on the move. Taking over through three quarters in 1:32.4 was the favourite with Louzotic chasing into the stretch. Holding on at the wire was Encantado in 2:01.3. Louzotic finished second while Loussolataire was third.
Encantado is owned by the partnership of Langley, Schwarz, Jr., and trainer Jim Eaton.
(Hawthorne Race Course)