Two divisions of leg two harness racing action in the Incredible Tillie Stakes took place on Friday evening at Hawthorne.
The Incredible Tillie is for Illinois-bred two-year-old pacing fillies as the first division had a field of nine. Favored at post time was Yank's Rendezvous with Casey Leonard driving. Leaving for the lead was Red Hot Packerette as she faced and early challenge from Fox Valley Miranda through the quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, Red Hot Packerette went back after the front, covering the half in :59.2. On the turn, the favorite was on the move as Yank's Rendezvous moved to challenged Red Hot Packerette through three quarters in 1:28.4. The two battled the length of the lane, with Red Hot Packerette putting Yank's Rendezvous away but facing a fresh challenge from Lex Two. On the wire, Lex Two (Lexington Legend) and driver Juan Franco got up in time to win by a head over Red Hot Packerette. The final time for the mile was 1:57.2. Frontier Cuzin closed to finish third. Lex Two is owned by Cynthia Kay Willis and trained by Nelson Willis.
Race three on Friday was the filly and mare open pace as a strong field of eight lined up. OK Heavenly was the favorite at post time with Casey Leonard driving. Getting away quickly early was Vintage Babe as she was challenged by Kyles Secret through a quick quarter in :27.0. On the backstretch, Vintage Babe took over and opened up through the half in :54.4. On the turn, Vintage Babe kept clear through three quarters in 1:23.3. In the lane, Vintage Babe shortened as OK Heavenly and Can't Touch This both rallied late with Can't Touch This (Rockin Image) and Mike Oosting getting up in 1:51.0. OK Heavenly was second while Vintage Babe held third.
Race six was the second open pace of the night, this time for the males over the sloppy going as Well Bred was a scratch, leaving a field of seven to line up. Heading for the early lead was Coal Hanover as he cleared easily through a quarter in :28.4. On the backstretch, Coal Hanover continued to lead through the half in :57.0. On the turn, Trashytonguetalker moved to challenge Coal Hanover as the pair hit three quarters in 1:24.1. In the lane, Coal Hanover was all out, but 20-1 shot A Bettors Risk (Bettors Delight) and Kyle Wilfong slipped through along the inside to get up on the wire. Coal Hanover was second while Let's Drink On It finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:51.4. A Bettors Risk is owned by Robert Hamather and trainer by Payton Ode.
Race eight was the second division of leg two of the Incredible Tillie as a field of ten contested the race over the sloppy going. Getting away for the lead was Fox Valley Jazzy through the quarter in :29.2. On the backstretch, Rollin Coal moved up and took over, passing the half in :58.2. In the turn, Rollin Coal faced a challenge from The New Americana as the duo passed three quarters in 1:28.1. In the lane, The New Americana (Yankee Skycraper) opened up for driver Mike Oosting and drew clear, winning in 1:56.1. Fox Valley Jazzy finished second while Rollin Coal held third. The New Americana is owned by Chris Mroz, Dave Falzone, and Jim Molitor and trained by Steve Searle.
Jim Miller