by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — As temperatures started to warm into the 30s for the final two weeks of the Hawthorne winter harness meet, times have sped up as has the competition. On Wednesday night (Jan. 27) at Hawthorne, a fast track welcomed pacers for the second leg of the Whizzer R. White and Suburban Downs Pacing series.

The Whizzer R. White was divided into four divisions for leg two while the Suburban Downs went with one field of 11 for the second leg.

The Wednesday evening card opened with the first division of the Whizzer R. White Pacing Series as a field of eight featured leg one winners Pillage And Burn and Over Friskie. Those two were sent off as the favorites in the first division. Much like in leg one, Over Friskie moved early to take the lead as Party Falls chased. Pillage And Burn tipped out at the top of the stretch and started to rally with Party Falls. At the wire there was no splitting Party Falls and Over Friskie as there was a dead-heat for the victory. Pillage And Burn finished third. Final time was 1:55.

Race three on the Wednesday card was the second division of the Whizzer R. White that matched up another pair of leg one winners in Prince Bayard and Always Kenzer. Early on, favorite Prince Bayard was first to move as he took the lead into the far turn. Second over was John Jay as he raced for the first time with Lasix. John Jay was able to sustain his bid and drew clear late, winning in 1:55. Prince Bayard finished second, Always Kenzer was third.

In race four, the third division of the Whizzer R. White, a field of eight lined up as Caffeine Kid was a scratch. Early on, One To Draw To grabbed the lead but was pushed along through a strong opening half. First over was Mr Pickpocket and driver Casey Leonard as they moved three wide into the stretch. One To Draw To battled on while First Frost rallied up the rail but Mr Pickpocket held on by a head over First Frost. One To Draw To finished third. Final time was 1:55.4.

The final division of the Whizzer R. White saw Lyons Jimmydean sent off as a strong favorite as he tucked in just behind the early pace. In the stretch, he tipped out to move and grabbed a brief lead but it was Macho Burbon who moved three wide to swoop for the victory. Lyons Jimmydean held second, Mr Mark Patrick was third. Final time was 1:55.1.

In the second leg of the Suburban Downs Pacing Series, Why Ask Why was looking for his fourth victory of this winter meet. Early on, Kolt Power was sent for the lead and backed things down a bit on the backstretch. Pressed by Valiente Stride in the turn, Kolt Power dug in gamely. Late in the stretch, Why Ask Why found room along the inside but it was too late as Kolt Power held on for a neck score over Why Ask Why. Valiente Stride finished third. Final time was 1:54.4.