Hawthorne: Juveniles in spotlight on closing day

STICKNEY, Ill. – The temperature in Chicago is forecast to plummet late Sunday, and Monday’s high might not hit 10 degrees, but by then, the lid will have fallen on the 2013 fall-winter Hawthorne meet, with Thoroughbred racing in the state going dormant for about two months – if not more.

Hawthorne is scheduled to begin 2014 racing in late February, but a one-day session of the Illinois legislature, on Jan. 28, will determine at least the short-term fate of the Illinois racing industry. If the legislature passes an extension of an account-wagering law that adequately funds the Illinois Racing Board, business will commence as usual next year. If it does not, Hawthorne could race as few as 15 days during all of 2014.

That is plenty to stew over during the dark January period, but on Sunday, there is racing to be completed, and the 10-race closing-day card includes the deep-winter Chicago version of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks trails – trails likely to vanish before winding beyond the near southwest side of Chicago.

Race 3 is a first-level allowance also open to $75,000 claimers and carded for 2-year-old fillies at one mile 70 yards on dirt, while Race 7 has the same conditions but with no sex restriction and a shorter distance of six furlongs.

The third race drew a field of seven, including likely favorites Phaniebdancing and Cow Catcher. Phaniebdancing won a maiden sprint by more than 10 lengths in her most recent start, but was less sharp trying two turns for the first time in November. She’ll race on or near the lead from post 1, while Cow Catcher, coming out of a decent third in the Nov. 9 Showtime Deb, figures to take up a stalking position. Cow Catcher makes her two-turn debut and is out of a mare, Stop a Train, who could handle routes.

Border Hopper is a deserving favorite in Race 7, having finished third at the class level in his most recent start, on Nov. 13. The winner of that race was Cool Cowboy, who came back to easily capture the Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

◗ The meet will end with five female riders, headed by Taylor Rice, finishing among the top 20 in the standings. Rice, a five-pound apprentice, was fifth in the standings with 34 wins through Thursday’s action. Also in the top 20 are Heidi Rose, Rosemary Homeister, Stephanie Slinger, and Samantha Colvin.

Tim Thornton, who had 66 wins entering the final weekend, is the runaway leading rider at the meet.