Open pacers were featured on the 12-race Friday evening (June 9) card at Hawthorne Race Course in races two and 10.
In the second race on the warm evening, a field of eight lined up for the $15,000 Open. Longshot Want Me left quickly covering the quarter in :27.3. On the backside, Hot Rod Dylan took over through a half in :56. On the turn, Yankee Bounty moved to challenge through three-quarters in 1:23.4. In the stretch, multiple horses battled, with Trashytonguetalker and driver Casey Leonard just getting up in time in 1:51.2. A 50-1 shot, Tyler The Terror, rallied for second, while Hot Rod Dylan held third. Trashytonguetalker is owned by trainer Terry Leonard and Chris Schick.
Race 10 was the $10,000 Open III with a field of eight after the scratches of Fan Of Terror and Dinky Dune. Best Man Hanover was the favourite for driver Mike Oosting and secured the lead through an opening quarter in :27.2. On the backside, Best Man Hanover maintained the lead through the half in :56.1. On the turn, Skim The Top moved out for a bid, but Best Man Hanover remained in control through three-quarters in 1:24.4. In the lane, Oosting kept Best Man Hanover to task, holding off Skim The Top by a half-length in 1:52.1. Mobil Big John closed to finish third. Best Man Hanover is owned by Sawgrass Farms LLC and trained by Perry Smith.
(With files from Hawthorn Race Course)