Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Hawthorne's "Night of Champions"

August 4, 2007

Hawthorne Race Course wrapped up its 39-day harness meeting with its Night of Champions on Saturday, August 4. The Stickney, Ill., one-miler was witness to nine stake events for Illinois-breds of all ages, gaits and genders.

Hall of Fame driver Dave Magee steered five of the stake winners, including Thisbigdogwilfight to a 1:49.3 clocking in the $92,000 Carey Memorial.

"He may not be at his best right now but this is just one tough horse," Magee said. "What he lacks in speed he makes up in fortitude."

Thisbigdogwilfight has amassed $154,448 in 2007.

Magee, 53, began the night by winning with Mogo On The Gogogo in the $46,000 Fox Valley Evita Final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

"This filly was much better tonight," Magee said of the filly’s 1:58 clocking. "John (trainer Butenschoen) scoped her and found out she was pretty sick, so he treated her and it obviously made a difference here."

When favorite So Sexy went off stride in the $57,500 Star Slinger Final for 2-year-old trotting fillies, Magee was able to grab quick control of the race and lead Lil Bit Tuff to win in 2:00.

"I wanted to take advantage of So Sexy making a break," Magee said. "She was my main concern. My pre-race plan was to be up close anyway. My filly was exceptionally good tonight, and just breezed through the turns."

Magee then captured the $58,000 Plesac Final for 2-year-old trotting colts with Maxter in 1:59.1. The colt had come into the Plesac off a pair of wins with Magee at the lines.

"He’s a good colt and when he holds it together, he’s tough too beat," Magee said. "I thought he was the best in the race so I didn’t mind racing him first over."

She’s So Hot gave Magee his fifth stakes winner of the night in the Broadway Tax Final for 2-year-old pacing fillies, clocked in 1:54.2.

"Right now she’s the best of her division and I drove her accordingly. This filly is not big but has the fortitude to be a very nice horse."

Other stake winners that night include: Thundercrack (Sam Widger) in the $51,500 Gumcorner Lad Final in 1:58.1; Booze Cruzin (Sam Widger) in the $61,500 Master Shawn Final in 1:51; Sportsfancy (Ryan Anderson) in the $59,000 Determination Plus Final in 1:52.1; Omaha Survivor (Tim Tetrick) in the $71.500 Fox Valley Dynamic Final in 1:52.1.