Hawthorne Harness: Fox Valley Gemini comes through again on Night Of Champions

Fox Valley Gemini extended his streak of winning a race on Night Of Champions at Hawthorne Race Course to six straight years, as the 7-year-old Yankee Skyscaper gelding captured the $62,000 Robert S. Molaro final for Illinois Conceived and Foaled older pacers on Saturday night in 1:50 4/5.

Driven by Casey Leonard, Fox Valley Gemini sat in third while He'zzz A Wise Sky (Kyle Wilfong) led the way through panels of 26 4/5, 55, and 1:22 4/5. He'zzz A Wise Sky looked like he was home free in the lane, but Leonard tipped Fox Valley Gemini off the pylons, and the veteran was able to catch He'zzz A Wise Sky in the closing strides to prevail by a neck. Fox Valley Ren (Todd Warren) was third.

"He shows up on the big night. He's just a class, class horse," said Leonard. "Hopefully we've got a few more years left in him."

Terry Leonard trains Fox Valley Gemini for owner Jim Ballinger. Fox Valley Gemini has 53 career victories overall, he has now pocketed $693,637, and he paid $4.80 to win as the second choice.

While Wilfong had to settle for second in that event, he ended up with a huge night by winning six of the rich finals. Those victories were:

--The $85,000 Beulah Dygert Memorial for 3-year-old trotting fillies in 1:54 2/5 with Curt Grummel-trained Funky Wiggle (by Lou's Legacy and bred by owner Dr. Patrick Graham);

--The $62,000 Carl Becker Memorial for trotting mares with Annas Lucky Star (by Cassis) in 1:54 4/5 for trainer Nelson Willis and owner/breeder Danny Graham;

--The $125,000 Fox Valley Flan for 2-year-old filly trotters with Marvelous Mystery (by Lou's Legacy and bred by Dr. Kenneth Rucker and Jana Rucker) in 1:58 3/5 for co-owner/trainer Curt Grummel and co-owners Craig Grummel and Leo Grummel;

--The $93,000 Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial for 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers with Fox Valley Crete (by Sportsmaster and bred by Fox Valley Standardbreds) in 1:52 2/5 for trainer Nelson Willis and owner Megan Rogers Racing Stables Inc.;

--The $144,000 Kadabra for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters with Goomster (by Cassis and bred by Vern Miller) in 1:56 2/5 for owner/trainer Dennis Gardner;

--The $185,000 Incredible Tillie for 2-year-old pacing fillies with Fox Valley Kia (by Somestarsomewhere and bred by Fox Valley Standardbreds) in 1:51 4/5 for trainer Scott Nance and owner Julie Collins.

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Leonard added to his triumph with Fox Valley Gemini by also capturing the $88,000 Erwin F. Dygert Memorial for 3-year-old male trotters with Lousdobb (by Lou's Legacy and bred by co-owner Flacco Family Farms LLC.) in 1:55 1/5 for trainer Steven Searle and co-owner All-Wright Racing LLC., and the $105,000 Plum Peachy for 3-year-old pacing fillies with Pattycake Mooss (by Major Bombay and bred by Fair Meadow Farm) in 1:53 1/5 for trainer Gary Rath and owner Alan Beals.

The other champions on the program were:

--Fox Valley Exploit (by Sportsmaster) in the $62,000 Tony Maurello for older pacing mares. The 5-year-old was driven to her 1:52 4/5 tally by co-owner Kyle Husted for trainer Amy Husted and co-owner David Brigham.

--Talk About Valor (by Yankee Valor) in the $62,000 Plesac for older trotters. Travis Seekman handled the 7-year-old gelding in his 1:53 2/5 mile for trainer Gerald Hansen and owner Shelly Steele;

--Illini Jetset (by Travel Playlist) in the $154,000 Incredible Finale for 2-year-old male pacers. Todd Warren was at the lines for the 1:52 3/5 score behind the University of Illinois-bred for co-owner/trainer Erv Miller and co-owners Bowie Racing LLC. and Sara Miller.