Illinois-bred male juvenile pacers were the focus on Saturday night at Hawthorne as three divisions of leg two of the Incredible Finale Series took place. The harness racing card kicked off with the first division as a field of eight was left to face the starter after the late scratch of Heza Real Shooter. The heavy favorite at post time was Fox Valley Gemini for driver Casey Leonard. Making the early lead was Molina as he passed the opening quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, Molina maintained the lead through the half in 1:00.1. After three quarters in 1:29.4, Molina continued to lead into the stretch. Mid-stretch, Fox Valley Gemini found room and accelerated quickly, winning by two lengths in 1:56.1. Beach Shootingstar closed to finish second while Not Me Gram was third. Fox Valley Gemini (Yankee Skyscaper) is owned by Jim Ballinger and trained by Terry Leonard.
Race three was the second division of leg two of the Incredible Finale with a field of eight to contend. Dandy Dude was favored with Tim Curtin driving. Getting away for the lead was Big Boy Frazier as he passed the opening quarter in :29.4. On the backstretch, Fox Valley Hipster moved alongside, then took command into the turn after a half in 1:00.2. In the turn, Casey Leonard guided Mykonos to the front and opened up. He passed three quarters in 1:28.1 with a clear lead. In the stretch, Mykonos shortened as Dandy Dude closed but Mykonos had enough left at the wire, winning by a length. Dandy Dude was second while Backstreet Lawyer closed to finish third. Mykonos (Cornor Blitz) is owned by Tripoli Stable and trained by Tom Simmons.
Race six was the third division of the Incredible Finale with nine horses facing the starter. Favored was Sheriff Coffey with Tim Curtin driving. Clearing easily was Bootleg Island through the quarter in :29.1. After a half in :57.4, Bootleg Island took the field into the turn with a clear lead. After three quarters in 1:26.4, Bootleg Island led the field into the lane. At the back of the back, Sagebrush Jim broke stride as Sagebrush Sharp collided with him, unseating drivers Brian Carpenter and Jamaica Patton. Both sets of horses and drivers were uninjured. In the stretch, Bootleg Island battled, but Lambo and driver Casey Leonard closed to get up in time, winning in 1:55.2. Bootleg Island held second while Hart to Heart finished third. Lambo (Duneside Perch) is owned and trained by Dane May.
Jim Miller