Pretty Direct and Ohyouprettything pacing finals

STICKNEY, IL – Friday night at Hawthorne had the final two series finals for the winter harness racing meet as the females were featured in the Pretty Direct and Ohyouprettything Pacing Series.

Race seven was the Pretty Direct Pacing Series final as a field of eight lined up. The favorite was Whiskersonkittens as she had driver Robert Smolin had won each of the first two legs of the series. At the start of the Pretty Direct final it was Pacifire that tried to leave for the lead but had to work a bit to clear Fox Valley Brooke. Lovethewayoulook made an early move on the backstretch to take over into the far turn. After a half in :57.3, Lovethewayoutlook was challenged by If I Didn't Dream while Whiskersonkittens circled five wide. In the stretch, the momentum of Whiskersonkittens carried her to the victory as the 7-5 choice in 1:55.1. Fox Valley Gypsy finished a half-length back in second while If I Didn't Dream was third. Whiskersonkittens swept all three races in the series for owner Ronald Knupp. She is trained by Kimberly Roth.

The following race was the final of the Ohyouprettything Pacing Series as a field of ten lined up. The heavy favorite was Mystical Nectar as she looked to sweep the series. Early on, there were numerous lead changes as eventually second choice Fox Valley Bailey led the field into the turn. While favorite Mystical Nectar was starting to move from far back, Lollipop and Todd Warren got the jump and grabbed the lead into the stretch. The 38-1 shot Lollipop was able to hold off the late move of 55-1 shot Girls Girls Girls for the victory. Mystical Nectar finished third. Lollipop is owned by James Reynolds and Combs Investments, Inc. and trainer by Ronnie Roberts.

Jim Miller