With the summer harness meet in full swing at Hawthorne, the numerous late closer series reached their finals this weekend. Three series finals took place on Thursday evening.
The first series final was for trotters that had never won two pari-mutuel races or $10,000 lifetime as of April 1, 2016. Leading the field of eight for the final was Skyway Jaylo from the barn of Larry Lee Smith. Skyway Jaylo entered the final winning both legs by daylight.
In the Thursday final, Skyway Jaylo was once again the favourite, sent away at 2-5 odds. Things weren’t easy on Skyway Jaylo as he had to work through the first turn to beat Hey Marcel to the lead through an opening quarter in :28.4. After a half, Skyway Jaylo opened a two-length lead in :57. Into the lane, Skyway Jaylo held the lead by a length in 1:26.2. Asked late, Skyway Jaylo had to work, but was unable to hold off the late move of All About Cowboys and driver Matt Krueger.
All About Cowboys scored his first career victory by a head at odds of 7-1. Skyway Jaylo finished second while Hey Marcel was third. Final time for the $12,800 final was 1:56.1
All About Cowboys, who returned $17.00 to win, is owned by Green Acres LLC & Mike Klimas and trainer Gregory Kain.
The second final on the night was for colts, horses and geldings, $5,000 claimers with allowances. With a purse of $13,200, a field of ten lined up behind the gate.
Sent off as the choice was Bossa Nova Baby from the inside at 2-1. Into the first turn Donald Himself was sent away from the outside for the lead in :28.2. First over was Dontgetbyme as he was unable to make the lead while Donald Himself went the half in :56.2. Into the lane, Winning Dream angled out for the lead in 1:25 for driver Travis Seekman and never looked back, winning by a length in 1:53.2. Longshot Shhrayray got up for second, just a head ahead of Bossa Nova Baby.
Sent off at 12-1, Winning Dream is owned by Niss Allen Inc and trained by Ken Rucker. Winning Dream returned $27.00 to win.
The third final on the night carried a purse of $15,400 and was for Illinois conceived or foaled trotters that had never won two races or $10,000 lifetime as of April 1, 2016.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, Powerful Princess broke stride prior to the start and spotted the field five lengths early.
Through the opening quarter PJ Boy held the early lead in :29.4. After a half in 1:00.1, both Mr Strata and Awfully Emotional were on the move. Into the lane, Mr Strata and driver Kyle Wilfong were just in front of Awfully Emotional through three quarters in 1:30 as Powerful Princess began to close down the center of the stretch.
At the wire, Mr Strata held on over Awfully Emotional in 1:59 while Powerful Princess finished third.
Owned by Cynthia Kay Willis and trained by Nelson Willis, Mr Strata returned $17.00 to win.
(Hawthorne)