by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course
Stickney, IL — Friday night (Jan. 19) at Hawthorne marked the first night of the claiming series finals in the winter harness meet. A field of seven pacers lined up in the Cicero Claiming Series final as Spendabuckonme was scratched prior to post time.
Sent away as the favorite in the $20,000 series final was Elite Awards with Sam Widger in the bike. Leaving the gate for the lead was Elite Awards as he faced early pressure from Mobil Big John. After a quarter in :28, Mobil Big John and Kyle Wilfong led the field onto the backstretch.
Moving to take over on the backside was Elite Awards, passing the half in :56.4. In the far turn, Elite Awards faced a fresh challenge from KC Rambunctious Boy as the pair passed three-quarters in 1:25.4. In the lane, Elite Awards dug in gamely and held off KC Rambunctious Boy and a boxed in Mobil Big John, crossing the wire a length on top in 1:54.3.
KC Rambunctious Boy was able to hold on for second, a nose ahead of Mobil Big John. Elite Awards is owned and trained by Perry Smith.
Elite Awards returned $5.20, $4.40, and $2.60. KC Rambunctious Boy gave back $5.20 and $4.20. Mobil Big John returned $3.40 to show