On a nice Saturday evening (July 2) at Hawthorne Race Course, two divisions of Illinois-bred three-year-old pacing colts and geldings took to the track in leg two of the Robert F. Carey Memorial Stakes. Each race carried a purse of $12,500.
The first division of the Carey had a field of seven and IYQ YQR was sent off as the favourite in his first race back in four weeks.
Moving to the lead from the outside was Red Dog Ryan as IYQ YQR rated in second after a quarter in :29.3. On the backstretch, Sagebrush Sam moved to the front through a half in :58 while challenged by IYQ YQR. With the lead changing hands numerous times, IYQ YQR covered three-quarters in 1:26.1. Up three lengths in the stretch, IYQ YQR tried to hold off He Gone Jack’s late move and he did just that to win by a length. He Gone Jack was second while Bowedfortyova finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:54.2.
Owned by Watson Stable and driven and trained by Trenton Watson, IYQ YQR returned $5.40, $2.60, and $2.20. He Gone Jack paid $2.60 and $2.40 while Bowedfortyova paid $3.40 to show.
The second division of the Carey had a field of eight and Royale Rose took late action and was sent away as the favourite.
Numerous pacers were sent off the gate as BS Tyrrific made the lead through a quarter in :28.3. After a half in :58.1, BS Tyrrific was challenged by Royale Rose. Those two raced on top together through three-quarters in 1:26.1. Battling through the lane, Royale Rose and Matt Krueger prevailed by a neck over BS Tyrrific in 1:53.3. Dan D Dune finished third.
Owned by Nicole Potts and trained by Lyle Scurlock, Royale Rose returned $4.60, $3.20, and $2.40. BS Tyriffic paid $5.60 and $3.40. Dan D Dune returned $2.40 to show.
On Sunday, July 3, Hawthorne will have a special 14-race card with a first post of 7 p.m.
(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)