With just over a week to Night of Champions at Hawthorne, final leg and elimination races took place on a fast track.
The Thursday card kicked off with two-year-old colt and gelding trotters on display in leg four of the Kadabra Stakes.
Trixies Jethro was sent off as the post time favourite, and he left out and cleared to the lead en route to the quarter in :30.2. On the backstretch, Trixies Jethro maintained his advantage through the half in 1:01.4. In the turn, Louscipher came out to challenge after three quarters in 1:32.4. Louscipher and Jamaica Patton sustained their bid, and wore down Trixies Jethro late, winning in 2:01.2. Matt Q finished third.
Louscipher is owned by Flacco Family Farms LLC and trained by Roshun Trigg.
The second race Thursday was leg four of the Fox Valley Flan Stakes with a field of six. Dandys ESP was sent off as the favourite, but broke at the start and left the race wide open. Second choice Siss Ellie Mae assumed command early, covering the opening quarter in :31 and the half in 1:01.2. On the turn, Jamaica Patton and Lous Credit Report took over through three quarters in 1:31.3. She opened up in the lane, winning by four lengths in 2:00.4. Heartland Honey finished second, while Siss Ellie Mae was third.
Lous Credit Report is owned by Flacco Family Farm and trained by Roshun Trigg.
The third race was the second division of the Kadabra Stakes with Polar B, fresh off a victory at the Illinois State Fair, sent off as the 1-2 favourite. At the start, Polar B immediately moved to the lead for driver Todd Warren, carving out fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2, and 1:32.4. In the lane, Polar B held a two-length lead but Lougazi and Jamaica Patton were wearing him down. On the wire Lougazi got up by a nose, winning in 2:02.2. Polar B held place with longshot Bands Houdini third.
The win was the third straight on the evening for Flacco Family Farms and trainer Roshun Trigg.
Race four was the second division of the Fox Valley Flan with Fox Valley Elana the 4-5 post time favourite. At the start it was Shes Savvy grabbing the lead, through the quarter in :30.1. After a half in 1:01.2, Fox Valley Elana moved to challenge Shes Savvy, taking over the lead. In the lane, Fox Valley Elana opened a two-length lead, but Daisy Lou Duke and driver Mike Oosting wore down the favourite, getting up by a neck. Lous Game N Match finished third. Final time for the winning mile was 2:02.
Daisy Lou Duke made it four-in-a-row for owner Flacco Family Farm LLC, this time in partnership with Dr. Patrick Graham. She is trained by Steve Searle.
Race five was leg four of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial Trot as PJ Boy was the 7-5 choice. The favourite led the way from the start, covering the opening fractions in :30, 1:00.1, and 1:30. Into the lane, drive Casey Leonard moved Hail Caesar to challenge as that one quickly took over. After opening a brief lead, Hail Caesar was all out to hold on late, holding off Fear at the wire by a half-length margin. Final time for the mile was 1:58.4. Powerful Father finished third.
Hail Caesar is owned by H W Wright and trained by Mike Brink.
Race seven was the fourth leg of the Beulah Dygert Memorial as eleven three-year-old filly trotters lined up. Favoured at post time was Vengeful for driver Todd Warren. Leaving for the led was Praise Singer and Ridge Warren through the quarter in :29. She maintained her lead through the half in :58.4. On the turn, Vengeful moved to challenge, putting a head in front through three-quarters in 1:29.2. In the lane Vengeful opened up and held sway as Roma Falls got up for second with More Than Likely third. Final time was 1:58.4.
Vengeful is owned by Providence West Inc and trained by Kenny Collier.
Race nine featured a field of eleven in the Plesac Stakes for aged trotters of both sexes. Master Of Excuses went sent off as the 6-5 favourite. Making the lead was the favourite through the quarter in :29. On the backstretch, Macie Rae moved to challenge as she covered the half in :57.2. On the turn, Todd Warren and Master Of Excuses fought back through three quarters in 1:28. All out in the lane, Master Of Excuses faced numerous challenges as it was Little Ms Chrissy and Brian Carpenter rolling up in time at 20-1. Ants Iner Pants finished second while Rock Hollywood was third.
Final time was 1:57.1. Little Ms Chrissy is owned by Taylor Racing Stables and trained by Herman Wheeler.
(Hawthorne Racecourse)