by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — The Thursday evening (May 18) program at Hawthorne opened with the first division of leg two action in the David Magee Series for 3-year-old Illinois-bred pacing fillies.

A field of eight lined up as C Far, a second-place finisher in leg one, was sent off as the favorite. Leaving for the lead was the favorite but Smiles Ahead was quicker to the front through the opening quarter in :29.1. On the backstretch, Kyle Wilfong kept Smiles Ahead on top through the half in :58.4. After three-quarters in 1:27.2, C Far was asked to challenge while three wide. Battling through the lane, C Far just got up in time, winning by a neck for driver/trainer Gary Rath. Smiles Ahead finished second while Jewels Hall closed for third. Final time for the mile was 1:56.1.

Race three was the second division of leg two of the David Magee as leg one winner Lady’s Party was sent off as the heavy favorite. Getting away quickly was Lady’s Party and Casey Leonard but she was challenged early by Rousey Ronda. Lady’s Party covered the opening quarter in :28.3 and dictated the pace through a half in :58.3. On the far turn, Lady’s Party continued to be pressed by Rousey Ronda through three-quarters in 1:27.4. Roused into the lane, Lady’s Party responded and drew clear, winning by five lengths in 1:55.3. Rousey Ronda was a clear second while Beamer N Bud finished third. Lady’s Party is trained by Mike Titus.

Race seven drew a field of 11 to contest the second leg of the Walter Paisley Series for filly and mare pacers. Phyllis Jean was favored from the outside draw. At the start, Burry Me Inthesand set the pace through a quarter in :27.4 and a half in :57. On the turn, Alabamashakey moved to contend and headed Burry Me Inthesand through three-quarters in 1:26. In the stretch, Burry Me Inthesand regained her advantage and opened up on the lead but Phyllis Jean came flying on the outside for driver Casey Leonard to roll on to a 2-1/2 length win in 1:53.3. Burry Me Inthesand held on for second while Hope Hotspur finished third.

Driver Casey Leonard had four wins on the card.