Hinsdale, IL — He’zzz A Wise Sky didn’t just reclaim the crown Friday night (Aug. 20) as the top older pacer at the Hawthorne meet, the 4-year-old ICF pacer took it back with an abundance of conviction.

The John Filomeno trained pacer demolished his five Open Pace rivals with a sizzling 1:49.1 mile, finishing more than five lengths ahead of the two-time Illinois Harness Horse of the Year Fox Valley Gemini (Casey Leonard), an honor that He’zzz A Wise Sky won in 2020 at the age of three.

He’zzz A Wise Sky left no doubt he was the best in the $12,000 Open Pace. Four Footed Fotos photo.

Regular driver Kyle Wilfong, as expected, hurried He’zzz A Wise Sky away from his designated six slot, and as anticipated, Ridge Warren sent Bobcat Bay out from the five and Kyle Husted did the same with Lying In Cash from post three.

Bobcat Bay had command at the quarter-mile pole but at the cost of a scorching :26.1 first quarter. Lying In Cash was right behind, but not for long, as Wilfong settled He’zzz A Wise Sky into third as Casey dropped Fox Valley Gemini into fourth.

On the backside Husted quickly took Lying In Cash out of the pocket and to the front while Wilfong, for the time being, kept He’zzz A Wise Sky in third. Heading to the half Wilfong pulled the 4-5 favorite out and went after the leaders. It took a sub-:27 quarter by He’zzz A Wise Sky ($3.60) to make the top at a quick :53.2 half.

Fox Valley Gemini then started to make his bid in the final turn, however, He’zzz A Wise Sky still had a ton of pace left, pulling away for his seventh win on the season for owner Triple ZZZ Stable. Primo Giovanni was a distant third, beaten 10-1/4 lengths in the second race headliner.

It was sweet revenge for He’zzz A Wise Sky and his connections. After his victory in the July 9 Hawthorne Open, the pride of his breeders, Donald and Joann Filomeno, He’zzz A Wise Sky was a tiring third to Lying In Cash in the July 30 Open and third best to Bobcat Bay in the Aug. 6 feature.

A trip to Hoosier Park a week ago saw He’zzz A Wise Sky turn things around in a big way as he popped at 14-1 odds in a $51,000 Invite with a 1:49.1 clocking, a new career mark the horse equaled Friday night.

Looking over Saturday’s nine-race card at Hawthorne the last two events look to be the best two, both for filly and mare pacers.

The eighth is the $12,000 Club Hawthorne Series final, a 10-horse field with the Matt Rodriguez Stable’s Dreaming Image (post seven, Atlee Bender, at 5-2) and Helen’s Girl (post two, Juan Franco, at 8-1) as the pre-race favorites. Both come off strong wins in last Saturday’s second leg. In fact, Dreaming Image is going for a series sweep. The 4-year-old mare also was an easy winner in her first leg. In both series outings she has been hammered at the betting windows, going off at 3-5 on Aug. 7 and at 1-5 a week later,

Also looking to grab the winner’s share of the $12,000 purse are Party Belle, Daybreak Girl, Finleys Filly, Ezpay, Fox Valley Sierra, Double Parked, Sweetshadyshark and Tempest Heart.

While the Filly and Mare Open didn’t fill with only four entries, two of those — My Uptown Girl and Rollin Coal — were moved to race nine, a very competitive conditioned pace. In fact, at least five other distaffers in the field have competed in Hawthorne Opens this summer. It’s a wide-open event and it was wisely placed as the finale because it should get plenty of play with four gimmicks available to be wagered on.

From the pole position out you’ll find Vel Donna, Lilly Von Shtupp, Look Kimbo, Eliza Dushku N, Pootie Cat, Allbeastnobeauty, My Uptown Girl, Charlotte Royal N, Rollin Coal and Mamama Moonshine.