by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL – Last night the ladies were the focus, Saturday (June 25) at Hawthorne the boys took the stage with four divisions of leg one of the Incredible Finale stakes.

On a clear evening, over a fast track, Sork was the heavy 1-5 favorite in the first division. Leading early was Uptown Sleaze through a quarter in :29.4. After the half in :59.1, Uptown Sleaze was still clear into the turn. At the top of the stretch, Sork and Todd Warren began their move after three quarters in 1:28.4. Uptown Sleaze battled on gamely for driver Kyle Wilfong along the inside and held off Sork by a length at the wire. Sammy Sagebrush finished third.

Owned by Engel Stable of IL, LLC and trained by Nelson Willis, Uptown Sleaze was 12-1, returning $26.60, $4.80, and $4.60. Sork returned $2.10 and $2.10 while Sammy Sagebrush paid $8.80 to show.

Race four on Saturday (June 25) evening was the second division in the Incredible Finale as Upbeat Big Guy was sent away as the favorite. Spirited Encounter moved early to take the lead after a quarter in :31.1. At the half, Causway came back to lead in 1:00.4 as Spirited Encounter broke stride. Into the lane, Fox Valley Reggie moved to the lead in 1:29.1 but shortened late as Fox Valley Jeter and Casey Leonard was the winner.

Causway got up for second while Slzburgerslzburger finished third. Final time for the mile was 1:58.

Owned by Phil Langley, Christine Buttice, and James Eaton and trained by James Eaton, Fox Valley Jeter paid $16.40, $7.20, and $3.60. Causway paid $5.60 and $2.80 while Slzburgerslzburger returned $3.20 to show.

Race six was the third division in the Incredible Finale with Sporty Redhot the race favorite. Ima Skydancer and driver Ryan Anderson carved out the early fractions of :31, :59.4 and 1:28.1. Battling into the lane, Ima Skydancer gave way as Royale Big Guy took over, but Sporty Redhot was quick to move. At the wire, Sporty Redhot drew clear for driver Todd Warren in 1:56.3. Royale Big Guy held second while Tiny Jim finished 3rd.

Owned by Al Beals and trained by Kim Roth, Sporty Redhot returned $4.20, $2.80, and $2.80. Royale Big Guy paid $5.40 and $5.20 while Tiny Jim paid $7.00 to show.

The final division in the Incredible Finale had Fox Valley Inferno as the post time favorite. Leaving for the lead was Captain Rhett, making the quarter in :30. First up to challenge was Sullivan, leading to the half in :58.1. Into the lane, Sullivan covered three quarters in 1:27.3 but Gabe Henry was moving strongly for Todd Warren and cruised to the victory in 1:55.3.

Gabe Henry returned $9.60, $3.60, and $2.40. Fox Valley Inferno came back $3.00 and $2.10. Fox Valley Sparty returned $2.80 to show.