by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — Trotters were the focus Thursday (Jan. 21) at Hawthorne as leg one of the Dygert Trotting Series took place. The Dygert Series is for colts, horses, and geldings which have not won three pari-mutuel races or $15,000 lifetime as of December 1, 2015.

A field of 11 lined up for the first leg. On an evening that produced no front-end winners on the Hawthorne card, that trend held true in the Dygert. Carving out the early fractions was Speedy Rendezvous, leading the field around in 29.3, 1:01, and 1:31.1. Tracking that leader into the stretch was second choice Maple Grove Joe as he moved to contend.

Following the trend of the racing evening, drive Dale Hiteman and favorite Topville Avatar waited until turning into the stretch and began their move. The timing was right as a final quarter of 28.1 was good enough to get up for the victory. Maple Grove Joe held second while All About Cowboys closed from last early to finish third. The final time was 2:00.1.

The females will be the focus on Friday evening at Hawthorne as the first leg of the Ohyouprettything and Pretty Direct Pacing Series kick off.