Stickney, IL — Two-year-olds made their way to the racetrack this past weekend at Hawthorne as Night of Champions first-leg action continued. The boys were center stage on Friday evening (June 14) while the ladies took their place on the track on Saturday night (June 15). All of the first-leg events went for $17,500.

The second race on Friday was the first of two divisions of the Incredible Finale for Illinois-bred 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings. A field of eight was led by RJ Wulfy, a winner already on the meet with Casey Leonard driving. LL Gram left for the lead from the inside, followed by Chick Magnet as the favorite was hung three-wide early. Leonard guided RJ Wulfy to the top, passing the opening quarter in :30.3 and the half in 1:00. Chased by Chick Magnet into the turn, RJ Wulfy confidently opened up a three-length margin through three-quarters in 1:28.1. Turning into a stiff headwind in the lane, RJ Wulfy had extended his advantage to six lengths into the stretch. Unchallenged to the wire, RJ Wulfy was an easy 11-1/2 length winner, stopping the clock in 1:57. Chick Magnet held second while Hello Rooster closed to finish third. RJ Wulfy is owned by partnership by B. Wulf, R. Wulf, R. Alderks, and J. Fraher and is trained by Ronnie Roberts.

The fourth race was the second division of the Incredible Finale as a field of seven lined up behind the starter, led by favorite Canadian Mountie from the barn of trainer Terry Leonard. Leaving quickly was Ryans Ambassador as he was joined by Illini Force, with the later of the duo leading the field through the quarter in :32. On the backside, Bagman moved to take over, passing the half in 1:01.1. On the turn, Kyle Wilfong led Bagman along the pylons while Ridge Warren angled Illini Force to the outside to challenge though three-quarters in 1:31.1. In the lane, Illini Force took over, facing a fresh challenge from Canadian Mountie. Game to the wire, Illini Force was able to hold on by a half length over Canadian Mountie in 1:59.1. Bagman finished third. Illini Force is owned by Allan, Kevin and Keith Miller along with Glenn Otto and is trained by Kevin Miller.

On Saturday evening, two-year-old female pacers where featured in two divisions of the Incredible Tillie. Race three saw a field of five line up in the first division, with Fox Valley Vixen favored from the rail. A Girl Named Jim and Jamaica Patton left for the lead to control the opening quarter in :30.1. Chased through a half in :59.4 by Fox Valley Vixen, A Girl Named Jim was two lengths clear into the turn. After three-quarters in 1:29.3, A Girl Named Jim maintained her clear lead into the lane. At the wire, she had more than enough left, winning in 1:57.3. Fox Valley Vixen held second while Fox Valley Exploit finished third. A Girl Named Jim is owned by Ronald Phillips and Louis Leinberger and trained by Jamaica Patton.

The following event — the second division of the Incredible Tillie — was led by Double Parked, with Travis Seekman driving. Double Parked left from the outside for the lead, and she had to work a bit to clear off of Jimmy’s Girl passing the quarter in :30.3. Settling into stride on the backside, Double Parked cruised through a half in 1:00.1 and three-quarters in 1:29.2. Roused by Seekman into the lane, Double Parked opened up a seven-length advantage into the lane and never looked back, stopping the clock in 1:57.2. Ashlees Fine Girl closed to finish second while Jimmy’s Girl was third. Double Parked is owned and trained by Leroy Hunt.

Sunday night (June 16) brought out the juvenile trotters with two divisions of the Fox Valley Flan for the fillies and a pair of divisions of the Kadabra for the boys.

A field of five started things off in the first division of the Fox Valley Flan, carded as race two. Lous Abigail was the favorite with Casey Leonard driving. Early leader Lauren Hall strolled through the opening quarter in :33.2 and held her lead into the turn after being chased through the backside by Olympic Hopeful in a half in 1:05.1. On the turn, Fox Valley Lush and Lous Abigail both pulled to go after the leader through three-quarters in 1:36.3. In the lane, Fox Valley Lush grabbed a brief lead between horses, but Lous Abigail was moving best of all, winning in 2:05. The stewards posted the inquiry sign, taking a look at Lauren Hall in the stretch and it was determined that she was disqualified from third. Officially, Lous Abigail was the winner, Fox Valley Lush finished second, and EL Oh Govner was third. Lous Abigail is owned by Flacco Family Farms and trained by Steve Searle.

The third race was the first division of the Kadabra, with a field of six taking to the track. Fox Valley Quest and driver Casey Leonard were heavily favored, and they cruised through the opening quarter in :31.3 and a half in 1:03.4. Chased by On Higher Ground into the turn, Fox Valley Quest opened up a two-length lead through three-quarters in 1:34.4. In the lane, the favorite extended his margin, winning clearly in 2:03.1. On Higher Ground held second while Fox Valley Kobe closed to finish third. Fox Valley Quest is owned by Carl Lacy and Benita Simmons and trained by Tom Simmons.

The fourth race was the second division of the Fox Valley Flan. A field of six was led by Bee See and driver Kyle Husted. At the start, Bee See broke stride and dropped back, as did second choice Celone Hall. Lous Flashy Dancer took advantage and covered the quarter in :32.3. Onto the backside, the top two choices were back on stride and looked to get back into contact with the field as Lous Flashy Dancer passed the half in 1:04.3. On the turn, Lous Flashy Dancer held her lead as Bee See continued to recover from her break and tipped wide, followed by Celone Hall through three-quarters in 1:36.1. Into the lane, Bee See couldn’t go on, but Celone Hall was able to sustain her bid, winning in 2:05.4. Lous Flashy Dancer held second while Really Railee closed to finish third.

Race five was the second division of the Kadabra. Mr Red Thunder was scratched, leaving a field of six. Lous Paisano was sent off the favorite for Casey Leonard and trainer Steve Searle. Prior to the start, there was a recall due to broken equipment with the favorite. After getting lined up again, Lous Paisano broke prior to the start once again and trailed the field. Twin Cedars Rocket made the lead and opened up through the quarter in :32.4. Chased by Fox Valley Briton through a half in 1:06.3, Twin Cedars Rocket led the field into the far turn. Desert Sheik and driver Mike Brink made a move as the field passed three quarters in 1:38.1, and at the wire, Desert Sheik held on in 2:06.2. U S Patriot finished second while Twin Cedars Rocket was third. Desert Sheik is owned by Charles Biggs and trained by Mike Brink.