Sunday night at Hawthorne capped a week of leg three races for the Night of Champions series as trotters were featured in the Erwin F. Dygert and Beulah Dygert Memorial Trots. The Erwin F. Dygert Memorial Trot is for Illinois-bred three-year-old colt and gelding trotters while the Beulah Dygert is for Illinois-bred three-year-old filly trotters.
Sent away as the 6-5 favourite, Majistic Caprice with Mike Oosting driving won the first division in 1:57.2.
Dont Be Cheeky made the early lead as Brandon Bates guided him through the quarter in :29.3. Majistic Caprice then brushed to the lead and passed the half in :59.3. Chased into the turn by Dont Be Cheeky, Majistic Caprice passed three-quarters in 1:28.1 as the pair opened up daylight on the rest of the field. In the stretch, Dont Be Cheeky tipped out to go after the leader and came up just short, missing by a next to the favorite. Big Lou closed to finish third. The final time for the mile was 1:57.2. Majistic Caprice is owned by D & J Racing Stables along with trainer Roshun Trigg.
New Queen took the second division with a late bid to win in 1:58.2.
White Pants Fever left for the lead, passing the quarter in :29.1. On the backside, Trotting Grace moved to challenge while Lous Silver Star made a three-wide rush to take over. Passing the half in :59.0, Lous Silver Star led the field into the far turn as favored Good Design began to move. After three quarters in 1:29.0, Lous Silver Star and Good Design were side by side into the lane with White Pants Fever coming back along the inside. Mid-stretch, Good Design broke stride as New Queen ranged up in the center of the stretch and closed quickest of all for the win for driver Juan Franco. Maui Mama followed New Queen for second while Shadow Copy rallied late to finish third. The final time for the mile was 1:58.2. New Queen is owned by Peter Kleinhans and trained by Kim Roth.
(With files from Hawthorne Racecourse)