It's closing night at Hawthorne Racecourse as Illinois harness racing will return on January 7. There are mandatory payouts for all pools. The 0.50 Late Pick 4 starts in Race 9. The sequence has a $25,000 guaranteed pool, and it will be my focus.

Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.

Race 9

2-Walkin Papers (6-1)-Willis 2-year-old makes only the 4th start of the year and comes off a good qualifier on 9-18. Appears to have been handled cautiously, this will be the 3rd start on Lasix and maybe the wrapper comes off tonight.
5-Reno Dinero (9/2)-Broke its maiden on 9-10 with a .56 back half to surge home and then was compromised with a soft pace. This is the 3rd start back in town and Leonard may provide a more aggressive steer and be in striking range turning for the wire.
6-Sunny And Eighty (5/2)-Winner in 3 of 6 returns to Haw after facing stakes caliber fillies at HoP without any success. Wilfong should have her forwardly placed and fits much better here. May return to winnings ways tonight.

Race 10

2-Sirods Skeeter (3-1)-Took advantage of an efficient trip to break maiden last week and now bumps up. Still fits with these and might be able to follow the same script and keep winning.
6- Upbeat Big Guy (4-1)-One race can mean little or a lot. Big Guy is 1-30 lifetime but showed some life in last with Seekman steering and a .57 back half to lose by only a neck. That start was against 4 from this field, and same pilot is between the pipes. Using, and looking for some juice in the Pick 4 payout.
7-JK Rockin Roll (7/5)-Drops to a better spot and on paper looks the part of a 7/5 morning line chalk. But this 3-year-old has only 9 lifetime starts and didn't hold the lead versus better as an odds-on chalk in last. Likes to race on the point and if gets there without using much gas it should be picture time.

Race 11

2-Dilly Dilly Time (4-1)-Finished 3rd off a sick scratch in last but as usual a slow start hurt. Has a chance to make some noise at this level but is pace dependent unless Leonard can get this filly to start better. Will take a swing with Team Leonard versus this crew.
6-Zero Net Profit (9/2)-Steps-up, as does everyone who appears to have the best chance. The last 3 starts have been good and were the 1st at Haw. Looking for another strong try and Wilfong could race on the lead as there isn't much gate speed inside.
7-Love Is Hill (5/2)-Ohio bred has been successful racing on the fair circuit at home and has a shot versus this field. Won at Delaware County on 9-21 and claimed a 155.2 mark at Hawthorne on 6-20.

Race 12

3-Rollinwitdaponyzzz (7/2)-Has the speed to beat this bunch and Wilfong knows well. Likes to race on the point and should get there and look to battle the one below down the long stretch.
4-Fox Valley Lynyrd (3-1)-Winner of 2 straight, the last at this class off an efficient trip provided by Wilfong. Leonard is back between the pipes to steer for his father and if the pace is solid this 4-year-old could roll by again.

My Ticket

Race 9) 2,5,6

Race 10) 2,6,7

Race 11) 2,6,7

Race 12) 3,4

Total Ticket Cost) $27 for $0.50

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