Stickney, IL — The past weekend at Hawthorne was a big one locally, and for the long term future of the industry in Illinois. As the summer harness meet moved into the second month of the season, legislation was being passed in Illinois to allow for an expansion of gaming and sports betting which will lead to a revitalization of racing in Illinois.

On the track, Cardinal and Violet races were the racing focus throughout the weekend. Things kicked off on Friday evening (May  31) as Illinois-bred 3-year-old pacers were the focus in two divisions of the Cardinal. The pair of $23,050 events went as races two and five on the Friday card.

In race two, a field of seven lined up, led by 3-5 favorite Fox Valley Triton with Casey Leonard in the bike. At the start, the second choice, just to Fox Valley Triton’s inside, Maximus was led to the lead with Kyle Wilfong, covering the opening quarter in :29.2. Stalked by Fox Valley Triton through a half in :59, Maximus was still a length clear into the turn. Shaking loose by two lengths into the lane, Maximus passed three-quarters in 1:26.4. Roused by Wilfong mid-stretch, Maximus was all out in the lane to hold off Fox Valley Triton, and just did so, winning by a neck in 1:53.4. Fox Valley Triton was second while Cooter Luke chased and held third. Maximus is owned in partnership by The Panhellenic Stable Corporation and trainer Ken Rucker.

Race five Friday was the second division of the Cardinal with another field of seven, led by heavy favorite Meyer On Fire with Tim Curtin driving. With the 1-9 favorite tucking in early, second choice The Bucket made the lead as he passed the opening quarter in :29.1. Turning onto the backside, Meyer On Fire moved to the front, leading the field through the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:26.2 as The Bucket chased the leader. In the lane, Meyer On Fire opened up on The Bucket as longshot Sporty Mcgrew moved forward. On the wire, Meyer On Fire held clear, winning in 1:54.3. Sporty Mcgrew rallied to finish second while The Bucket was third. Meyer On Fire is owned by Engel Stable of Illinois and trained by Erv Miller.

On Saturday evening (June 1) it was a pair of paces for Illinois-bred 3-year-olds in the Violet. Split fields of six contested races two and four. Race two featured 1-9 favorite Perch from the barn of Jay Garrels as she garnered more than $60,000 in the show pool on her. Perch was left to work though early as she settled fourth behind the pace of Yankee Joanie through the quarter in :28. As the field moved to the backstretch, second choice Lilly Von Shtupp assumed command, opening up a two length lead through a half in :58.3 and three-quarters in 1:27.2. Into the lane, Kyle Wilfong was getting after Perch to go as Travis Seekman and Lilly Von Shtupp was still two lengths clear mid-stretch. Lilly Von Shtupp started to slow as Perch and Winter Gram closed late. On the wire, Perch was a one length winner in 1:55.4 over Winter Gram. Lilly Von Shtupp held third. Perch is owned in partnership by Del Insko Training Stable, Jay and Susan Garrels.

The second division of the Violet featured another heavy favorite in 3-5 shot Fox Valley Torrid from the Rodney Freese stable. Driven by Casey Leonard, Fox Valley Torrid tucked in behind the pace set by Valar Morghulis. After a quarter in :28.2, Valar Morghulis ceded the lead to Fox Valley Halsey as that one opened the lead through the half in :57 and three-quarters in 1:26.1. On the move into the lane, Fox Valley Torrid ranged alongside the leaders, with a trio in with a chance. Moving forward late, Fox Valley Torrid held on to win in 1:54.1. Longshot Fox Valley Lolo closed late from last to get up for second, while Valar Morghulis held third. Fox Valley Torrid is owned by Fox Valley Standardbreds.

On Sunday evening (June 2) three trots took place with a pair of divisions for the 3-year-old male trotters and a full field of female trotters. The night opened with seven trotters to battle for $21,750 as Lousraptor and Casey Leonard were the 1-2 favorite for trainer Roshun Trigg. The early leader through a pedestrian quarter in :30.3 and half in 1:01.2 was longshot Super Betcha as the favorite tucked in just behind the leader. Taking over into the turn was Lousraptor as he passed three-quarters in 1:29.2 and opened up a two length lead into the stretch. Nearing the wire, Lousraptor’s lead was diminishing though as Frontier Manard closed quickly. On the line, it was Lousraptor holding off Frontier Manard by a head in 1:58.1. Swaneelou closed from last to finish third. Lousraptor is owned by Flacco Family Farms.

Race four was the second division for the boys as Lourhianon looked for his fifth straight win as he was the 4-5 favorite. While the favorite chose to sit back early, Trixie’s Turbo and Tyler Shehan grabbed the lead through the opening quarter in :30. With longshot Lous Endeavor chasing, Trixie’s Turbo was clear through a half in 1:00.2 and three-quarters in 1:29.4. Into the stretch, Lourhianon and Louscardamon took up the chase. With the gap closing late, Trixie’s Turbo dug in, holding on to win by a head in 1:58. Louscardamon got up for second while Lourhianon finished third. Trixie’s Turbo is owned by Charles Doehring and trained by Jill White.

Sunday’s ninth saw a field of ten line up behind the starter as female trotters were led by 1-9 favorite Louzotic, fresh off a win in leg one of the Beulah Dygert Memorial the week prior. Leading the field through the first turn was Puddin Cheeks as she passed the quarter in :28.2. Wasting no time, Kyle Husted guided the favorite to the front and passed the half in :58.2. With Heidi High taking up the chase from her outside draw, Louzotic was two lengths clear of her through three-quarters in 1:27.2. Into the lane, Louzotic opened up, winning by three lengths in 1:56.1. Heidi High finished second while Lou’s Paramour closed for third. Louzotic is owned by Flacco Family Farms and trained by Steve Searle.

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