by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — Leg two of the Ohyouprettything and Pretty Direct pacing series for fillies and mares took place on Friday evening at Hawthorne. The Ohyouprettything went in three divisions while the Pretty Direct was a full field of ten.

In the first division of the Ohyouprettything, longshot JD’s First Lady left and tried to steal things through a quick opening half. She led the field into the stretch but then things bunched up as heavy favorite Mystical Nectar took over with a quick three-wide move. She continued her bid for driver Simon Allard as Mystical Nectar rolled to a four length victory in 1:55.2. Tamarac Smoochie finished second while Savoya Cruiser was third.

The second division of the Ohyouprettything saw Lollipop carving out the early fractions while Gossip Model tracked her into the turn. Into the lane, Lucky Dali ranged up to challenge while Fox Valley Bailey tipped three-wide to contend. It was Fox Valley Bailey who sustained her move and held off the late bid of Gossip Model, winning in 1:56.4. Lucky Dali finished third.

The third division of the Ohyouprettything saw Backwoods Barbie sent off as the favorite. She moved early to challenge leader I Y Q Too on the backstretch but was unable to clear and eventually broke stride. In the end it was bombs away as 75-1 shot Don’t Dali Around got up in the shadow of the wire for driver Brian Carpenter. Girls Girls Girls finished second while Sandy Win was third. Final time for the mile was 1:56.2.

A full field of ten lined up for the second leg of the Pretty Direct Pacing Series. Fox Valley Brooke set the early pace, tracked by favored Lovethewayoulook. In the stretch Lovethewayoulook grabbed the lead but couldn’t hold off the late charge of Whiskersonkittens and driver Robert Smolin. Whiskersonkittens stopped the clock for the mile in 1:54. Lovethewayoulook was second, If I Didn’t Dream finished third.