The ladies were the focus on Friday night at Hawthorne as six races featured fillies and mare in either their final leg or elimination leading to Night of Champions on September 10.
Raced over a fast track, Illinois-bred two-year-old fillies were the focus in the second race on the card as the first of three divisions of leg four of the Incredible Tillie Stakes took place. Favoured in the first division was Princess Sage for driver Freddie Patton, Jr.
After a recall, the race got away as Princess Sage was sent away but challenged early by Hope Hotspur through the quarter in :28.4. After Hope Hotspur grabbed a brief lead, Princess Sage came back briefly before My Kind Of Dance moved to challenge through the half in :58.1. On the turn, Princess Sage made a third move to challenge for the lead but My Kind Of Dance led through three quarters in 1:26.1. In the lane, My Kind Of Dance and Casey Leonard were all out and just held off Hope Hotspur by a head on the wire. Windian got up for third. Final time for the mile was 1:56.
My Kind of Dance is owned by Adrian Adam and trained by Alex Adam.
Race four was the second division of the Incredible Tillie, and Razzleme Dazzleme was the 3-5 favourite. A Real Doozie got away quickly through the opening quarter in :29.1. At the half, Pinstripe Pants moved to the lead in :58.1. Mid-turn, A Real Doozie angled out to challenge as Pinstripe Pants led through three quarters in 1:27.3. Late in the lane, Razzleme Dazzleme made a strong, four-wide move to get up for the victory. Sheadealer was second while A Real Doozie finished third. Finale time for the mile was 1:56.4.
Razzleme Dazzleme is owned by Derek & Amy Jacobus and trained by Nick Prather.
Race five on Friday was the third division of the Incredible Tillie Stakes, and it was Artemesia sent away as the favourite. Getting away for the lead was C Far but was quickly challenged by Jump Right Up through the quarter in :30. On the backstretch, Artemesia assumed command and led the field into the turn. Mid-turn, Artemesia led the field but Boogie On Down moved late to challenge. At the wire, Artemesia held on by a head as Boogie On Down was second, with Dee Tumbleweed closing for third. Final time was 1:59.
Artemesia is owned by Megan Rogers Racing and trained by Nick Prather.
Race six featured the aged pacing mares in the first of two eliminations of the Tony Maurello Memorial Stakes. A field of seven lined up with the top five to move onto the final. Favoured at post time was Southern Girl. Financial Effort got away well from the inside to take the early lead through the opening quarter in :29. On the backstretch, Southern Girl moved to challenge and had to work for the lead through the half in :57.4. On the turn, Joyful Game moved to contend Southern Girl as the duo hit three quarters in 1:26.3. In the lane, Southern Girl was all out for driver Kyle Wilfong and held on to win in 1:54.2. Financial Effort finished second while Fox Valley Ruby got up for third.
Southern Girl is owned by Connie Hochstetler and trained by Homer Hochstetler.
The second division of the Tony Maurello Memorial went as race seven with Ryleighs Lilly sent away as the 2-5 favourite. Getting away for the lead was Cowgirl Chic through the opening quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, Cowgirl Chic maintained her lead through the half in :59.1. On the turn, Cowgirl Chic continued to lead while Ryleighs Lilly and Casey Leonard ranged up to challenge. In the lane, Ryleighs Lilly took over and drew clear as Fox Valley Charm chased for place. Incredible Filly finished third. Final time was 1:54.1.
Ryleighs Lilly is owned by John Barnard and trained by William Crone.
Race ten had a full field of eleven three-year-old fillies in leg four of the Plum Peachy Stakes. Char N Marg was sent away as the favourite for driver Casey Leonard. Leaving for the lead was Ashlees Fine lady but Char N Marg quickly took over, only to be challenged by Whiskersonkittens through the quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, Char N Marg regained the lead through the half in :57.3. After three quarters in 1:26.3, Char N Marg took the field into the lane. In the lane, Whiskersonkittens and LKs Nancy Lee came to challenge Char N Marg. At the wire, LKs Nancy Lee just got up by a nose over Whiskersonkittens. Char N Marg finished third. Final time was 1:54.1.
LKs Nancy Lee is owned by Lawrence Karp, Jr. and trained by Joel Smith.
(Hawthorne Racecourse)