Two-year-old trotters took centre stage at Hawthorne Race Course on Sunday, July 9, as finals of the Violet and Cardinal Stakes were the main attraction.
Race 4 was the Violet final for the two-year-old trotting fillies and a full field of ten faced the gate. The heavy favourite from the inside was Maui Mama with Casey Leonard in the bike. Getting away for the lead in the Violet was Fox Valley Persia, as she covered the opening half in :30.2. On the backstretch, Fox Valley Persia was pressed by Maui Mama as the favourite led to the half in 1:00.1. On the turn, Maui Mama continued to lead, passing three quarters in 1:30.2. In the stretch, Maui Mama was asked, and responded, winning by a length and a half in 1:59.1. Good Design closed to finish second while Fox Valley Persia was third. Maui Mama is owned by H. W. Wright and trained by Mike Brink.
Race 6 was the Cardinal final for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters. Getting away quickly and opening up was True Detective and Casey Leonard, covering the quarter in :31.2 and half in 1:03.1. After the easy half, True Detective had his way through three quarters in 1:33.3. In the lane, True Detective remained well clear, winning in hand in 2:01.2. Vics Pizza rallied to finish second while Cruzen Cassi was third. True Detective is owned by Dr. Patrick Graham and trained by Curt Grummel.
(Hawthorne Race Course)