by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL — With just over a week to Night of Champions at Hawthorne, final leg and elimination races took place on a fast track on Thursday (Sept. 1).

The card kicked off with 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on display in leg four of the Kadabra Stakes. Trixie’s Jethro was sent off as the post time favorite. Leaving for the lead was the favorite as he cleared and covered the opening quarter in :30.2. On the backstretch, Trixie’s Jethro maintained his advantage through the half in 1:01.4. In the turn, Louscipher came out to challenge after three-quarters in 1:32.4. Louscipher and Jamaica Patton sustained their bid and wore down Trixie’s Jethro late, winning in 2:01.2. Matt Q finished third. Louscipher is owned by Flacco Family Farms and trained by Roshun Trigg.

The second race Thursday was leg four of the Fox Valley Flan Stakes with a field of six. Dandy’s ESP was sent off as the favorite, but broke at the start, leaving the race wide open. Second choice Sis’s Ellie Mae assumed command early, covering the opening quarter in :31 and the half in 1:01.2. On the turn, Jamaica Patton and Lous Credit Report took over through three-quarters in 1:31.3. She opened up in the lane, winning by four lengths in 2:00.4. Heartland Honey finished second, while Sis’s Ellie Mae was third. Lous Credit Report is owned by Flacco Family Farms and trained by Roshun Trigg.

The third race was the second division of the Kadabra Stakes with Polar B as the 1-2 favorite, fresh off a victory at the Illinois State Fair. At the start, Polar B immediately moved to the lead for driver Todd Warren, carving out fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2 and 1:32.4. In the lane, Polar B held a two length lead but Lougazi and Jamaica Patton were wearing him down. On the wire Lougazi got up by a nose, winning in 2:02.2. Polar B held place with longshot Bands Houdini third. The win was the third straight on the evening for Flacco Family Farms and trainer Roshun Trigg.

Race four was the second division of the Fox Valley Flan with Fox Valley Elana the 4-5 post time favorite. At the start it was She’s Savvy grabbing the lead through the quarter in :30.1. After a half in 1:01.2, Fox Valley Elana moved to challenge She’s Savvy, taking over the lead. In the lane, Fox Valley Elana opened a two length lead, but Daisy Lou Duke and driver Mike Oosting wore down the favorite, getting up by a neck. Lous Game N Match finished third. Final time for the winning mile was 2:02. Daisy Lou Duke made it four in a row for owner Flacco Family Farms, this time in partnership with Dr. Patrick Graham. She is trained by Steve Searle.

Race five was leg four of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial Trot as PJ Boy was the 7-5 choice. The favorite led the way from the start, covering the opening fractions in :30, 1:00.1 and 1:30. Into the lane, driver Casey Leonard moved Hail Caesar to challenge as that one quickly took over. After opening a brief lead, Hail Caesar was all out to hold on late, holding off Fear at the wire by a half-length. Final time for the mile was 1:58.4. Powerful Father finished third. Hail Caesar is owned by H W Wright and trained by Mike Brink.

Race seven was the fourth leg of the Beulah Dygert Memorial as 11 3-year-old filly trotters lined up. Favored at post time was Vengeful for driver Todd Warren. Leaving for the led was Praise Singer and Ridge Warren through the quarter in :29. She maintained her lead through the half in :58.4. On the turn, Vengeful moved to challenge, putting a head in front through three-quarters in 1:29.2. In the lane Vengeful opened up and held sway as Roma Falls got up for second with More Than Likely third. Final time was 1:58.4. Vengeful is owned by Providence West Inc. and trained by Kenny Collier.

Race nine featured a field of 11 in the Plesac Stakes for older trotters of both sexes. Master Of Excuses was sent off as the 6-5 favorite. Making the lead was the favorite through the quarter in :29. On the backstretch, Macie Rae moved to challenge as she covered the half in :57.2. On the turn, Todd Warren and Master Of Excuses fought back through three-quarters in 1:28. All out in the lane, Master Of Excuses faced numerous challenges as it was Little Ms Chrissy and Brian Carpenter rolling up in time at 20-1. Ants Iner Pants finished second while Rock Hollywood was third. Final time was 1:57.1. Little Ms Chrissy is owned by Taylor Racing Stables and trained by Herman Wheeler.