Illinois-bred male juvenile pacers were the focus on Saturday night at Hawthorne as three divisions of leg two of the Incredible Finale Stakes took place.
The card kicked off with the first division and a field of eight was left to face the starter after the late scratch of Heza Real Shooter. The heavy favourite at post time was Fox Valley Gemini for driver Casey Leonard. Molina made the lead early as he passed the opening quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, Molina maintained the lead through the half in 1:00.1. After three-quarters in 1:29.4, Molina continued to lead into the stretch. Mid-stretch, Fox Valley Gemini found room and accelerated quickly, winning by two lengths in 1:56.1. Beach Shootingstar closed to finish second while Not Me Gram was third. Fox Valley Gemini is owned by Jim Ballinger and trained by Terry Leonard.
Race three was the second division of leg two of the Incredible Finale with a field of eight to contend. Dandy Dude was the favourite with Tim Curtin driving. Big Boy Frazier got away with the lead as he passed the opening quarter in :29.4. On the backstretch, Fox Valley Hipster moved alongside, then took command into the turn after a half in 1:00.2. In the turn, Casey Leonard guided Mykonos to the front and opened up. He passed three-quarters in 1:28.1 with a clear lead. In the stretch, Mykonos shortened as Dandy Dude closed but Mykonos had enough left at the wire, winning by a length in 1:56.2. Dandy Dude was second while Backstreet Lawyer closed to finish third. Mykonos is owned by Tripoli Stable and trained by Tom Simmons.
Race six was the third division of the Incredible Finale with nine horses facing the starter. The favourite was Sheriff Coffey with Tim Curtin driving. Bootleg Island cleared easily through the quarter in :29.1. After a half in :57.4, Bootleg Island took the field into the turn with a clear lead. After three-quarters in 1:26.4, Bootleg Island led the field into the lane. At the back of the pack, Sagebrush Jim broke stride as Sagebrush Sharp collided with him, unseating drivers Brian Carpenter and Jamaica Patton. Both sets of horses and drivers were uninjured. In the stretch, Bootleg Island battled, but Lambo and driver Casey Leonard closed to get up in time, winning in 1:55.2. Bootleg Island held second while Hart To Heart finished third. Lambo is owned and trained by Dane May.
Casey Leonard's sweep of the Incredible Finale divisions were part of a seven-win night for the reinsman.
(With files from Hawthorne Race Course)