Hawthorne Race Course featured Illinois-bred three-year-old filly pacers in leg two eliminations of the Plum Peachy Stakes on Friday evening (June 30).
The action kicked off in race two as a field of seven lined up for the first elimination. Ladys Party was the heavy favourite with Casey Leonard in the bike. Rousey Ronda got away with the lead from the outside as she quickly cleared through the quarter in :29.1. After a half in :58.1, Rousey Ronda maintained her lead as Ladys Party stalked the pace. In the turn, the favourite tipped out to make her move, challenging Rousey Ronda through three-quarters in 1:26. In the lane, Princess Sage and Freddie Patton Jr. rolled u alongside Ladys Party and went on by, winning by nearly two lengths in 1:53.2. Lady’s Party held second while Dandys Dududidudu closed to finish third. Patton Jr. also trains and co-owns Princess Sage with Keli Jo Bell.
Race three was the second elimination of the Plum Peachy and another seven-horse field took to the track. My Kind Of Dance was sent off as the favourite with Casey Leonard driving. San Antonio Rose made the top from the inside but Hope Hotspur quickly challenged through the quarter in :28.3. Leading the field through the half in :57.3, Hope Hotspur maintained her top position into the turn. Ashlees Cocktail was the first to challenge, but Hope Hotspur led through three-quarters in 1:26.3. In the lane, Ashlees Cocktail grabbed a brief lead, but Fox Valley Dandy and Tim Curtain rallied past in the final sixteenth to get up by a length on the wire. My Mona Me closed to finish second while Ashlees Cocktail held third. The final time was 1:54.4. Fox Valley Dandy is owned by Hugh Lake and Susan Lacey, and trained by Ray Hanna.
Race four was the third elimination of the Plum Peachy featuring a field of eight. Beamer N Bud made the lead from the outside through a quarter in :28.3. His lead was short-lived as A Real Doozie took over briefly before Fancy Creek Jolene moved, but then broke stride. After a half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.1, Filly Forty took over to battle A Real Doozie in the lane. However, A Real Doozie and Mike Oosting fought back along the inside nearing the wire and drew clear late. Filly Forty held second while Boogie on Down got up for third. A Real Doozie covered the mile in 1:53.4. A Real Doozie is owned by Ira Steinberg and trained by Mike Brink.
(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)