Stickney, IL — Night of Champions at Hawthorne doesn’t culminate until the final week of September, but the action kicks off early as this past weekend saw the first legs in numerous categories for the top Illinois-bred horses.

Friday evening (May 24) had the first Night of Champions event as leg one of the Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial for 3-year-old male pacers highlighted the evening. A field of 11 lined up, led by 2018 champ Meyer On Fire for owner Engel Stable of IL and trainer Erv Miller. Sent away as the favorite was Maximus, with Kyle Wilfong in the bike.

Leaving for the lead was Coming Up along the inside as he was challenged early by Maximus through a quarter in :29.2. On the backside, Maximus assumed command before facing a fresh challenge by Meyer On Fire and Tim Curtin. After a half in :58, Meyer On Fire took over in the turn, pushed now by The Bucket. Meyer On Fire passed three-quarters in 1:25.4 and led the field into the lane. Opening up, Meyer On Fire drew clear under the wire, winning in 1:53.1. Maximus came back for second while Coming Up held third.

Saturday night (May 25) saw a field of 11 Illinois-bred 3-year-old filly pacers in the first leg of the Plum Peachy. Sent away as the favorite was Fox Valley Torrid with Casey Leonard driving.

At the start, third choice Valar Morghulis was fastest to the front, clearing the lead while passing the quarter in :28.3. Making a quick move on the backstretch was the favorite as Fox Valley Torrid moved to the lead, followed by second-choice Perch. Through the half in :57.1, Fox Valley Torrid led the field into the turn as Perch ranged up to her outside. Hitting three-quarters together in 1:25.1, the duo turned into the lane. In the stretch, Kyle Wilfong urged Perch to the front as she opened a brief gap on Fox Valley Torrid. Nearing the wire, Fox Valley Torrid fought back, coming up just a head short behind Perch in 1:53.3. Valar Morghulis was moved to third after a disqualification of Fox Valley Lolo. Perch is owned by Del Insko Training Stable, Inc., Jay Garrels and Susan Garrels and is trained by Jay Garrels.

On Sunday evening (May 26) trotters were in the spotlight with two divisions of leg one of the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial trot to go along with the first leg of the Beulah Dygert Memorial trot.

The Erwin F. Dygert Memorial trot is for Illinois-bred 3-year-old colts and geldings. Race three on Sunday was the first division as Lousraptor was sent away favored with Casey Leonard driving.

After a recall, Trixie’s Turbo was sent to the front, covering the opening quarter in :29.3 and backing down the half in 1:00.1. Moving into the turn, Trixie’s Turbo maintained his lead as Lousraptor closed the margin to a length through three-quarters in 1:31. In the stretch, Lousraptor took over, opening up quickly to win by three lengths in 1:58.1. Frontier Manard rallied to get up for second while Trixie’s Turbo held third. Lousraptor is owned by Flacco Family Farms and is trained by Roshun Trigg.

In the second division of the Erwin F. Dygert, another trotter owned in partnership by Flacco Family Farms, along with Dr. Patrick Graham, was sent away favored as Louscardamon led the field of six.

In a race that had a lot of movement, longshot Super Betcha led through the opening quarter in :30.1. On the backstretch, second choice For Trots Sakes assumed command, passing the half in 1:00.2 and three-quarters in 1:30.1. Into the lane, Louscardamon was on the move, quickly going from last to first and grabbing an open length lead by mid-stretch. At the wire, Kyle Husted guided Louscardamon well clear, winning by two lengths in 1:58.4. Longshots finished second and third as Big Garcia Vega got up for second while Super Betcha held third. Louscardamon is trained by Steve Searle.

The ladies were featured in race six Sunday as the Beulah Dygert Memorial for Illinois-bred 3-year-old filly trotters had a field of nine. Favored was another from the Steve Searle stable for owners Flacco Family Farms as Louzotic was sent away as the 3-5 choice with Kyle Husted driving.

At the start, Puddin Cheeks got away quickly, covering the opening quarter in :29.2. On the backstretch, Husted wasted no time getting Louzotic to the front as she took over through the half in :57.4. Opening up the lead on the turn, Louzotic led the field through three-quarters in 1:26.3 as Heidi High chased her into the lane. Kept to task, Louzotic drew clear, winning by five lengths in 1:55.2. Heidi High held second while Fox Valley Elicit was third.

Hawthorne Race Course, Chicago’s Hometown Track, has a summer harness meet through Sept. 22. For more information, visit www.Hawthorneracecourse.com or contact Hawthorne at 708.780.3700.