Racing recap for Saturday, May 20

Race one on Saturday night at Hawthorne Raceway kicked off the leg two harness racing action of the Bob Larry for pacers that were non-winners of $30,000 lifetime through March of this year. The leg one winner Hot Rod Dylan was the heavy favorite for driver Mike Oosting at post time. At the start Sporty Redhot got away well and grabbed an early lead through a quarter in :28.4. On the backside, Hot Rod Dylan moved up to take over through the half in :57.2. After three quarters in 1:25.4, Hot Rod Dylan maintained his advantage. In the lane, Hot Rod Dylan was all out as Fox Valley Nemitz rolled up on the outside. The two were noses apart on the wire as Hot Rod Dylan just held off Fox Valley Nemitz in a final time of 1:53.0. Sporty Redhot held on to finish third. Hot Rod Dylan is owned by Shirley Le Vin and trained by Nelson Willis.

Race two was the first division of the second leg of the Mike Paradise for Illinois-bred three-year-old pacers that had not won $10,000 lifetime through the end of March. Leaving quickly was longshot Frontier Fred but Ima Skydancer drove up on the outside to make the quarter in :28.4. Kid Rocky moved to challenge but Ima Skydancer maintained the lead through a half in :57.1 and three quarters in 1:25.4. In the lane, Mike Oosting roused the favorite as Ima Skydancer was all out, holding on for a half-length win in 1:54.4. In Your Eye rallied on the outside for second over Kid Rocky. Ima Skydancer is trained by Mike Brink.

Race three was the second division of the Mike Paradise with a field of six as leg one winner Sullivan was the favorite for driver Casey Leonard. Getting away for the lead from the outside was Commondiscourtesy through the quarter in :28.4. Kyle Husted kept him on the lead through a half in :58.3 and three quarters in 1:27.4. In the lane, Sullivan angled out to contend but Causway and Mike Oosting was moving best of all down the center of the track and rolled by both late. Causway stopped the clock in 1:55.3, keying a Mike Brink trained exacta as Sullivan finished second while Commondiscourtesy was third.

Race four was the first division of leg two of the Cicero Claiming Series with a field of eight set to line up. Mobil Big John was favored with Casey Leonard driving. Getting away on top was the favorite but Vital Terror moved up on the outside to lead through the opening quarter in :28.1. On the backside, Mobil Big John assumed command and covered the half in :56.3. In the turn, Mccito ranged up to contend as Mobil Big John held the lead through three quarters in 1:25. Roused in the lane, Mobil Big John opened up on the lead, winning easily in 1:52.4. Doc's Deal rolled up for second while Vital Terror finished third. Mobil Big John is owned by Tessa Roland and trained by Darren Taneyhill.

Race five was the second division of the Cicero Claiming Series with a field of six as KC Rambuctious Boy was scratched. Leg one winner Maserati Seelster was the heavy favorite for driver Tyler Shehan. Maserati Seelster took command from the start through a quarter in :27.4. On the backstretch he opened up the lead to three lengths, covering the half in :55. In the turn Maserati Seelster extended to a five length lead through three quarters in 1:23.3. Unchallenged in the lane, Maserati Seelster won easily, stopping the clock in a snappy 1:52. CR Artistic was second while Bestnotlie Hanover finished third. Trainer Darren Taneyhill grabbed his second win on the card.

Multi-Win Evenings

Drivers – Mike Oosting (4 Wins), Tyler Shehan (3 Wins)

Trainers – Darren Taneyhill (2 Wins), Loralee Johnson (2 Wins), Kelly Chupp (2 Wins)

Race Winners

Race 1 – Hot Rod Dylan (1:53.0)

Race 2 – Ima Skydancer (1:54.4)

Race 3 – Causway (1:55.3)

Race 4 – Mobil Big John (1:52.4)

Race 5 – Maserati Seelster (1:52.0)

Race 6 – Kyles Secret (1:53.2)

Race 7 – Likethewayoulook (1:57.0)

Race 8 – Sam Swifty (1:55.0)

Race 9 – Outlawpocketrocket (1:54.4)

Race 10 – Roll to Glory (1:55.0)

Race 11 – Cheekie (1:53.2)

ABOUT HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE

Founded in 1891, Hawthorne Race Course is the 4th oldest racetrack in the nation and the oldest sporting venue in Illinois. Located in Stickney, Illinois on the edge of Chicago's city limits, the 126 year old facility hosts thoroughbred racing in March and April and again in October through Dec. Standardbred harness racing is conducted in May through September. The family-owned and operated business has been an innovator in horseracing for more than 100 years and features the nation's most rewarding players program.

For additional information: www.HawthorneRaceCourse.com | Facebook.com/ClubHawthorne | @ClubHawthorne.

Jim Miller