Two divisions of leg two action in the Incredible Tillie Stakes took place on Friday evening (July 21) at Hawthorne.
The Incredible Tillie is for Illinois-bred two-year-old pacing fillies and the first $12,000 division had a field of nine. Yanks Rendezvous was favoured at post time with Casey Leonard driving. Red Hot Packerette left for the lead and she faced an early challenge from Fox Valley Miranda through the quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, Red Hot Packerette went back after the front, covering the half in :59.2. On the turn, the favourite was on the move as Yanks Rendezvous moved to challenged Red Hot Packerette through three-quarters in 1:28.4. The two battled the length of the lane, with Red Hot Packerette putting Yanks Rendezvous away but facing a fresh challenge from Lex Two. On the wire, Lex Two and driver Juan Franco got up in time to win by a head over Red Hot Packerette. The final time for the mile was 1:57.2. Frontier Cuzin closed to finish third. Lex Two is owned by Cynthia Kay Willis and trained by Nelson Willis.
Race eight was the second division of leg two of the Incredible Tillie and a field of 10 contested the race over the sloppy going. Fox Valley Jazzy established the lead through the quarter in :29.2. On the backstretch, Rollin Coal moved up and took over, passing the half in :58.2. In the turn, Rollin Coal faced a challenge from The New Americana as the duo passed three-quarters in 1:28.1. In the lane, The New Americana opened up for driver Mike Oosting and drew clear, winning in 1:56.1. Fox Valley Jazzy finished second while Rollin Coal held third. The New Americana is owned by Chris Mroz, Dave Falzone, and Jim Molitor, and trained by Steve Searle.
Race three on Friday was the $13,500 Filly and Mare Open Pace with a strong field of eight lined up. OK Heavenly was the favourite at post time with Casey Leonard driving. Getting away quickly early was Vintage Babe as she was challenged by Kyles Secret through a quick quarter in :27. On the backstretch, Vintage Babe took over and opened up through the half in :54.4. On the turn, Vintage Babe kept clear through three-quarters in 1:23.3. In the lane, Vintage Babe shortened as OK Heavenly and Cant Touch This both rallied late with Cant Touch This and Mike Oosting getting up in 1:51. OK Heavenly was second while Vintage Babe held third.
Race six was the second Open Pace of the night, this time for the males over the sloppy going as Well Bred was a scratch, leaving a field of seven to line up. Heading for the early lead was Coal Hanover as he cleared easily through a quarter in :28.4. On the backstretch, Coal Hanover continued to lead through the half in :57. On the turn, Trashytonguetalker moved to challenge Coal Hanover as the pair hit three-quarters in 1:24.1. In the lane, Coal Hanover was all out, but 20-1 shot A Bettors Risk and Kyle Wilfong slipped through along the inside to get up on the wire. Coal Hanover was second while Lets Drink On It finished third. The final time for the mile was 1:51.4. A Bettors Risk is owned by Robert Hamather and trainer by Payton Ode.
(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)