Hawthorne Harness: Fox Valley Gemini keeps win streak going

Friday night at Hawthorne featured a pair of divisions of the Cardinal pace for Illinois Conceived and Foaled 3-year-old colts and geldings. The first division went with a field of ten while the second had nine after the scratch of Heza Real Shooter.

Leading the way in the first division of the $27,100 Cardinal was undefeated Fox Valley Gemini as he looked to win his 13th consecutive race to open his career. Sent off as the 1-5 favorite with Casey Leonard in the bike, Fox Valley Gemini got away in good order as Dandy Dude was sent away to the lead. After the quarter, You’remyhearthrob held the lead in 28 2/5 and looked to open up on the backside through the half in :56.4.

On the turn, Fox Valley Gemini was unleashed and went after the leader, getting within a length through three-quarters in 1:24 4/5. In the lane, Fox Valley Gemini took command and drew off. At the wire, Fox Valley Gemini was three lengths clear of Dandy Dude, while You’remyhearthrob held third. The final time for the mile was 1:52 3/5.

Fox Valley Gemini is owned by Jim Ballinger and trained by Terry Leonard.

In the second division of the Cardinal, Backstreet Lawyer was sent away as the favorite with Kyle Wilfong driving. Making the early lead was Molina, as Sports Analyst was sent after him before breaking stride through the quarter in 29 seconds. Molina continued on the front-end from there, hitting the half in 58 1/5 and the three-quarters in 1:26 1/5.

In the stretch drive, Al’s Briefs and driver Travis Seekman, who had a two-hole trip behind Molina, took over command, and at the wire, Al’s Briefs held off the late moves of Backstreet Lawyer and Fox Valley Hijinx, winning by a length in 1:54 1/5.

Al’s Briefs is owned by Anthony Somone, David McCaffrey, and Clark Fairley and trained by Clark Fairley.

--press release (Hawthorne Racecourse)--