by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course
Stickney, IL — Thursday evening (June 28) at Hawthorne Race Course featured first-leg action in two divisions of the Kadabra Stakes and Fox Valley Flan Stakes. The Kadabra is for Illinois-bred 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings while the Fox Valley Flan is for state-bred 2-year-old trotting fillies.
Four Footed Fotos photo
Fox Valley Picaso was a picture-perfect winner in Thursday’s Kadabra Stakes at Hawthorne.
Race one, the first division of the Kadabra, was led by Fox Valley Picaso, who entered as a heavy favorite off his easy victory in the Cardinal two weeks ago. After Rusty Red Valor broke before the start, the favorite cleared the lead and passed the opening quarter in :29.3. On the backstretch, Crackerjack Bill moved to challenge, but Casey Leonard and Fox Valley Picaso didn’t allow that to last for long, as they moved back to the front prior to the half in 1:01. After three-quarters in 1:32.3, Fox Valley Picaso was given a little urging and responded nicely, opening up to win clearly. The final time for the mile was 2:02.2. Frontier Manard closed to finish second at 25-1, while Crackerjack Bill held third. Fox Valley Picaso is owned by Todd John and trained by Herman Wheeler.
Race two was the first division of the Fox Valley Flan Series. Lous Mistress was scratched, leaving a field of six led by favorite Heidi High for owner, trainer and driver Charles Arthur. Second choice Puddin Cheeks broke prior to the start, leaving favored Heidi High to make the lead through the quarter in :30. After a half in 1:00.2, Heidi High maintained her lead into the far turn. Slowing things down to 1:31.2 through three-quarters, Heidi High was clear into the lane, but E L Game On and driver Kyle Wilfong started to move. E L Game On caught Heidi High late in the lane, winning in 2:01. Heidi High held second while longshot Lou Scion Lou finished third. E L Game On is owned by Donald and Sharri Huddleston and trained by Michael Rogers.
The third race on the Thursday card was the second division of the Kadabra Stakes, with Prince Cassis the favorite for driver Casey Leonard. Prince Cassis gained the early advantage and rolled through the opening quarter in :31.4. Kyle Husted and Foxvalleysrushhour recognized the slow pace and moved toward the lead, passing the half in 1:04.0. After three-quarters in 1:34.4, Foxvalleysrushhour led the field into the stretch, with Prince Cassis and Trixie’s Turbo both on the move. The trio was covered by just a length in mid-stretch, with Trixie’s Turbo moving the best of all, emerging on top of Foxvalleysrushhour and Prince Cassis in 2:03.2. Trixie’s Turbo is owned by Charles Doehring and trained by Heather Stell.
Race four was the second division of the Fox Valley Flan, featuring a field of seven led by Encantado and driver Kyle Husted. Friday I’m In Love left for the lead and controlled the first half in 1:02.2. Friday I’m In Love led the field into the turn as Encantado and Louzotic were on the move. Encantado took over through three-quarters in 1:32.4 and held off a chasing Louzotic through the stretch in 2:01.3. Loussolataire finished third. Encantado is owned by the partnership of Langley, Schwarz, Jr., and trainer Jim Eaton.
Hawthorne Race Course, Chicago’s Hometown Track, continues the summer harness season through September 24. For more information, visit www.Hawthorneracecourse.com or contact Hawthorne at 708-780-3700.