by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Race Course

Stickney, IL — Friday night (June 3) Hawthorne had a pair of races contested in the first leg of the Plum Peachy stakes. The Plum Peachy is for Illinois-bred 3-year-old fillies. Each division carried a purse of $12,500.

In the first division of leg one, a field of seven lined up with Lexington Lady the heavy favorite at 1-5. Leaving for the lead was the favorite as she made the front easily through the opening quarter of :28.1. On the backstretch, Lexington Lady and driver Matt Krueger maintained their lead through a half in :57.4. Into the lane after three quarters in 1:26.2, Lexington Lady led by two lengths and held firm at the wire, stopping the clock in 1:54 over the fast track. Lk’s Nancy Lee finished second while Aunt Ethel was third.

Owned and trained by Hosea Williams, Lexington Lady returned $2.60, $2.20, and $2.20. Lk’s Nancy Lee came back $4.80 and $3.60 while Aunt Ethel returned $3.20 to show.

In the second division of leg one of the Plum Peachy, Char N Marg was sent off as the even money favorite. Getting away for the early lead was Art Angel Baby, tracked by Likeafireballshot and Char N Marg through the quarter in :28.1. Likeafireballshot took over on the backstretch, covering the half in :56.3. In the turn, Char N Marg took command through three quarters in 1:25.4. In the end, Casey Leonard and Char N Marg drew away, stopping the clock in 1:53 for the mile. Whiskersonkittens finished second, Ashlee’s Fine Lady third.

Owned by Quaid Racing LLC and trained by Nelson Willis, Char N Marg paid $4.00, $3.20, and $2.40. Whiskersonkittens gave back $6.40 and $3.80. Ashlee’s Fine Lady paid $8.00 to show.