by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL — On a warm Saturday evening (Aug. 4) at Hawthorne, a nice card came together as Illinois-breds were getting their final preps in before heading to the state fair along with a pair of solid open-company fields. The focus of the night came in race seven as a fine field of eight open trotters lined up.

Four Footed Fotos photo

Walter White equaled the track record of 1:53.3 on Saturday at Hawthorne Race Course.

While Annas Lucky Star and Picky Picky Valor took the majority of the wagering action, it was Walter White who stole the show. After Picky Picky Valor passed the opening quarter in :28.2, driver Juan Franco guided Walter White to the lead on the backside, passing the half in :56.3. Chased by Picky Picky Valor into the turn, Walter White opened up a two-length lead through three quarters in 1:24.4. In the lane, Franco kept Walter White to task, as he held clear, winning in 1:53.3.

The final time of Walter White equaled the track record for older trotters at Hawthorne that was held by Dink Adoo, set on July 15, 2005. Walter White is owned by Robert Silberberg and trained by Jim Eaton. The win was the 21st for Walter White, coming in career start 100 and was also a lifetime mark for the 6-year-old gelding.