On a very hot evening at Hawthorne, state-bred juvenile pacers were featured in two divisions of the Incredible Finale.
Leg one of the Incredible Finale is for colt and gelding pacers as the first division had a field of seven while the second had eight pacers face the starting car.
Race two was the first division as The Bucket was the favourite for driver Casey Leonard. Leaving for the lead was Sonny Sage, but Holden Steady was early to move, passing the quarter in :30.3. On the backside, Meyer On Fire moved to the front, but Voila pushed him to the half in :59.2. After three quarters in 1:28.3, Voila turned into the lane on top, but Kyle Husted and Meyer On Fire was able to save ground, sliding through on the inside for the win. Voila finished second while favoured The Bucket, who was parked the entire trip, was able to get up for third.
The final time for the mile was 1:57.2. Meyer On Fire is owned by Engel Stable of Illinois LLC and trained by Erv Miller.
Race four was the second division of the Incredible Finale as the field of eight had favouritism shuffle amongst multiple horses. Action went to both Frontier Muffler and Maximus at the start of the race. Making the early lead was Cooter Luke as both Sports Drama and Riley The Mooss broke early. Through the quarter in :30.3, Cooter Luke led Frontier Muffler onto the backside.
Nearing the half, Frontier Muffler took over, passing the half pole in 1:01.2., On the turn, Riley The Mooss was on the move to challenge Frontier Muffler as the pair covered three quarters in 1:30.3. Into the lane, Frontier Muffler regained his lead and faced a fresh challenge from Ryan Racketeer. At the wire, Frontier Muffler just held off Ryan Racketeer, with Cooter Luke closing in between to finish third. The final time for the mile was 1:59.2.
Frontier Muffler is owned in partnership by driver/trainer Freddie Patton, Jr. along with Willie Scott.
(Hawthorne Racecourse)