by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL — Thursday night (Feb. 4) at Hawthorne featured the $13,700 final in the Dygert Trotting Series. The series was for colts, horses and geldings that were non-winners of three pari-mutuel races or $15,000 lifetime as of Dec. 1, 2015.

Four Footed Fotos photo

Topville Avatar and driver Dale Hiteman went charging by rivals in the lane to win the Dygert Trotting Series final.

The first two legs of the series were dominated by Topville Avatar as he won both legs by daylight. The final would be no different.

From the outside, Riet’s Kid left early and rushed to the front. Second choice Maple Grove Joe had settled in fourth while the 1-5 favorite, Topville Avatar, sat sixth early on.

Coming off the turn, Maple Grove Joe tipped three wide to rally up to the lead while Topville Avatar and driver Dale Hiteman quickly moved behind that one. In the final sixteenth, Topville Avatar took command and went on to win in a lifetime best 1:57.2. Maple Grove Joe finished second, All About Cowboys was third.

Topville Avatar is owned by Paula Smith and James Runyan and is trained by Joel Smith.