by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — Sunday night (July 30) at Hawthorne featured 3-year-old trotters in action. Illinois-bred colt and gelding trotters were featured in the Erwin F. Dygert Memorial while fillies took to the track in the Beulah Dygert Memorial.

Race three was the third leg of the Erwin F. Dygert trot as a field of eight lined up. Louscipher and Muscle Image battled for favoritism at post time.

Getting away for the lead was Trixie’s Jethro from the inside as he quickly cleared and opened up a two length advantage through the opening quarter in :29.3. On the backside, Jared Finn and Trixie’s Jethro held their lead through the half in 1:00.1. In the turn, Picky Picky Valor moved to challenge the leader after three-quarters in 1:29.1. In the lane, Picky Picky Valor took over and was challenged late by Muscle Image at the sixteenth pole. Late in the stretch, Casey Leonard guided Louscipher off the rail to the four path and Louscipher rallied to win by a length. Muscle Image was second while Picky Picky Valor held third. The final time for the mile was 1:57.2.

Louscipher is owned by Flacco Family Farms and trained by Roshun Trigg.

Race five was the third leg of the Beulah Dygert Memorial as the field of nine was led by heavy favorite Annas Lucky Star from the rail with Kyle Wilfong driving. Making the lead was Sis’s Ellie Mae but she quickly had company from Daisy Lou Duke through the quarter in :28.3. On the backstretch, Annas Lucky Star took over and passed the half in :58.1. On the turn, Lous Credit Report moved to challenge the favorite as the pair passed three-quarters in 1:27.4. In the stretch, Annas Lucky Star repelled the bid of Lous Credit Report and drew clear to win by widening lengths. Daisy Lou Duke finished third.

Annas Lucky Star is owned by Danny Graham and trained by Nelson Willis.