Leg two action for the fillies and boys took place Thursday evening at Hawthorne Racetrack with a pair of divisions in the Beulah Dygert Trot for Illinois-bred three-year-old fillies and Erwin F. Dygert Trot for Illinois-bred three-year-old colts and geldings.
Over a fast track for the Thursday opener, a field of six fillies lined up in the first division of the Beulah Dygert as Rocknprincessabbie was the off time favourite.
Leaving quickly was Roma Falls as she carved out the opening fractions of :29.1, :59, and 1:29 to lead the field into the stretch. As the field bunched up mid-stretch, Rocknprincessabbie took over, but late in the lane, driver Kyle Wilfong and More Than Likely split horses to get up late for the victory over Rocknprincessabbie and Ryleigh Marie. The final time for the mile was 1:59.2.
Owned by Mr. Lynn Wilfong and trained by Brett Wilfong, More Than Likely paid $6.40.
The second division of the Beulah Dygert saw six filly trotters do battle.
Moving to the lead in the opening quarter was Vengeful in :29.1 for driver Todd Warren. She led the field through a half in :58.4 and three quarters in 1:28.2. Opening up a four-length lead in the lane, Vengeful was all out late, but shortened late and was caught by Surviver Di for driver Kyle Husted. Vengeful held second while Powerful Princess finished third. Final time for the mile was 1:57.4.
Owned by Steven Renard and trained by Steven Searle, Surviver Di paid $10.60.
Race four on the Thursday card was the first division of leg two of the Erwin F. Dygert Trot for three-year-old Illinois-bred colts and geldings. Fear was the heavy favourite at post time.
Making the lead early was Mr Strata but he was quickly headed by Fear through the quarter in :29.2. On the backstretch Fear opened a five-length lead through the half in :58.2 On the turn, Mr Strata started to close the gap as Fear covered three quarters in 1:28.2. In the lane, Fear was kept to task and drew clear, winning for driver Todd Warren in 1:58. Powerful Father was second at 46-1 while Bands Ariston finished third.
Owned by Providence West Inc and trained by Kenny Collier, Fear returned $2.40 to win.
The second division in the Erwin F. Dygert had a field of eight with Hail Caesar the post time favourite.
Leading through the quarter was favoured Hail Caesar in :30.3. Cruising through the half in 1:01.1, Hail Caesar was challenged by Prime N Powerful into the turn. Turning that bid away through three quarters in 1:30, Hail Caesar was strong through the wire for Casey Leonard in 1:59. Primed N Powerful held second while Wrightwood finished third.
Owned by H W Wright and trained by Mike Brink, Hail Caesar returned $4.40 to win.
(Hawthorne)