by Al Cimgalia
September 21, 2019
It's a big a night of harness racing on both sides of the border. There are three major stake races which will roll at Woodbine
Mohawk Park with combined purses of greater than $1.5 million.
Hawthorne Racecourse will be the setting for the Night Of Champions with the best Illinois bred two and three-year-olds competing. The championships have a total purse value of over $800,000.
Comments and selections below are based on a fast track.
Woodbine Mohawk Park
Race 5-Shes A Great Lady Pace-Purse $540,000
4-Lyons Sentinel (9/5)-Slight lean to Tetrick who can come off cover to score the big prize.
5-Alicorn (2-1)-Winner of 3 straight will likely seek the top, others may too, can win another with a smooth trip.
2-Reflect With Me (5/2)-Always in the hunt and should be again, could let others battle, can rally with a good steer.
Race 7-Milton Pace-Purse $250,000
8-Caviart Alley (5/2)-Will look here despite the outside post, back on a larger oval, where does best work.
1-Youaremycandygirl (2-1)-Comes off 2 wins and is sharp, post draw doesn't hurt chances, a major threat.
6-Seaswift Joy N (3-1)-Tetrick has options, could leave or come off cover, likes the track and best to respect.
Race 9-Metro Pace-Purse $750,000
3-Capt Midnight (7/5)-A perfect 5 for 5 at Wbsb and has won 5 straight, looks like a clean trip away from #6.
4-Tall Dark Stranger (9/5)-Came out of the box on 7/26 and is a perfect 5 for 5, now meets the Capt.
1-YS Mathis (8-1)-A very nice colt who is 7 of 9 in the money here, could add some juice to a gimmick.
Hawthorne Racecourse
Race 4-Incredible Tillie Championship-Purse $115,000
1-Fox Valley Exploit (8/5)-Form has been sharp and now gets post relief, could be sitting on a top effort.
2-Sign Her Up (9/5)-Beat #1 last week, thinking this won't be as easy but deserves respect.
6-Ashless Fine Girl (25-1)-Only 1 win this year but has been in the hunt and could add some pop to gimmicks.
Race 8-Kadabra Championship-Purse $108,000
3-Fox Valley Quest (4/5)-Has been a standout all year, looks like it will be clear sailing barring a miscue.
8-On Higher Ground (3-1)-Beat Quest once at Spr, but the draw hurts and it appears will be racing for 2nd place.
7-Desert Sheik (5-1)-Tries Lasix and like #8 is one of four Brink trainees who looks to be best of the rest.
Race 9-Incredible Finale Championship-Purse $102,000
9-Fox Valley Ren (7/5)-Winner of 7 of 9 will need a big try and is my choice for a trip to the winner's circle.
10-He'zzz A Wise Sky (2-1)-Winner of 4 in a row, did beat #9 but thinking roles will be reversed from this post.
6-Western Perch (12-1)-Camera shy but usually in the hunt, expecting a good effort and to hit the bottom of ticket.
Race 10-Carey Memorial Championship-Purse $109,000
6-Maximus (2-1)-Will lean to this Rucker trainee making 2nd start off a sick scratch, slight edge in a tough race.
7-Fox Valley Triton (9/5)-Major player from the Leonard barn, program favorite looks the part.
1-Meyer On Fire (5/2)-Best to respect, colt knows how to win and should be heard from near the wire.
Race 11-Plum Peachy Championship-Purse $100,000
4-Fox Valley Torrid (2-1)-Winner of 3 of last 4 has had a nice year, will give the nod here but needs a top effort.
5-Fox Valley Halsey (3-1)-Looking for a good trip and might follow #4, in form and could challenge down the lane.
2-Perch (5-1)-Looks to be well placed to stay in contention in a good race, best to respect a trip-out opportunity.
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