Unlike standout rivals Cantab Hall and Coventry, Justice Hall did not have a stellar freshman campaign, as he failed to reach the winner’s circle in any of his four starts postward. This year, however, has been a different story for the son of Garland Lobell, who has cruised to seasonal earnings of $326,943 with a 4-2-3 record from 17 trips postward.

Trained and co-owned by Kevin Thomas for partners Mary Katz, Berto Stable and Nathan Fink, Justice Hall stormed into the Windy City one week ago and with Hall of Fame driver John Campbell at the lines, wasting no time in posting a 1:56.3 clocking in his American National elimination.

"I really didn’t have any pre-race strategy in mind," Campbell said. "This horse is just very easy to drive and is very professional. He’s one of those horses that is the ultimate professional and can just go anywhere and do well. For instance he was at Lexington, then went up to Mohawk and came back to Lexington and then shipped here. He’s just a standout individual in that regard."

Cambell eased Justice Hall off the gate and away from post eight, letting the colt settle as Rose Run Fastball (David Miller) took the field to a :28.2 first quarter, a :58 half and a 1:28.1 three-quarter clocking. Customize (Dave Magee) grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and appeared to be on his way to his 11th victory of the season, but was mowed down by a hard-driving Justice Hall, who used a :27.2 final brush to win by nearly two lengths.

As a two-year-old Justice Hall went behind the gate only four times, earning $18,308 and nabbing a second and a pair of thirds for his efforts. This year he’s been chasing some of North America’s finest diagonally-bred sophomores, including Windsong’s Legacy, Cantab Hall and Rocky Balboa, in some of the industry’s most prestigious events—including the Hambletonian, The Kentucky Futurity, and others.

Rocky Balboa invades from the powerful New Jersey-based Brett Pelling Stable and is looking for his second win of the year in 19 tries. The son of Muscles Yankee has nailed down his fair share of on-the-board checks for his connections, after winning in 1:55.1 at the Big M earlier this year.

Customize has been one of the top trotters in Illinois in the past two seasons, netting just over $300,000 for Pennsylvania owner Bert Cavanaugh lifetime. Conditioned by Dirk Simpson, the son of Wilson Wyoming gets regular pilot Dave Magee in the sulky tonight.