Three series finals featured at Hawthorne

Race four on Saturday evening kicked off the first of three finals as the Bob Larry final for harness racing pacers that had not won $30,000 lifetime through the end of March took place.

Hot Rod Dylan was the heavy 2-5 favorite with driver Mike Oosting in the bike. Sporty Redhot got away quickly, through the opening quarter in :28.2. On the backstretch, the favorite took over, covering the half in :57.0 and three quarters in 1:25.3. In the lane, Oosting roused the favorite and he responded, holding sway for a length and a half score. Hot Rod Dylan stopped the clock in 1:52.2. Longshot Bowedfortyova closed to finish second while Sporty Redhot held third. Hot Rod Dylan is owned by Shirley Le Vin and trained by Nelson Willis.

Race five was the final in the Mike Paradise series for Illinois-bred three-year-old pacers that were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime through the end of March. In Your Eye was sent away as the 8-5 choice for driver Ridge Warren. At the start, Commondiscourtesy got away fastest of all, covering the quarter in :28.2 and the half in :58.1. In the turn, second-choice Sullivan made a quick move, leading the field into the lane through three quarters in 1:25.4. In the stretch, Warren tipped In Your Eye wide as he closed with a rush, winning by a length-and-a-quarter. In Your Eye covered the mile in 1:54.2. Ima Skydancer finished second while Sullivan held third. In Your Eye is owned by James Behrendt and trained by Mike Brown.

Race ten was the $20,000 featured Cicero Claiming Series final as Maserati Seelster looked for a series sweep and was sent away at 3-5. Driver Tyler Shehan sent the favorite away at the start, through fractions of :28.3, :56.4 and 1:25.1. Mobil Big John chased the entire way, ranging up to challenge the favorite in the lane. After a stretch duel, Mobil Big John and driver Ryan Anderson emerged on top, catching Maserati Seelster, who was also outfinished by late-closing Bestnotlie Hanover. Mobil Big John finished in 1:52.3. The 7-2 second-choice is owned by Eulalia Rivera and trained by Loralee Johnson.

Multi-Win Evenings

Drivers – Casey Leonard (3 Wins), James Lackey (2 Wins)

Trainers – Nelson Willis (2 Wins)

Race Winners

Race 1 – Fresh Squeezed (1:52.4)

Race 2 – Nevada Bluechip (1:56.0)

Race 3 – Kyles Secret (1:53.4)

Race 4 – Hot Rod Dylan (1:52.2)

Race 5 – In Your Eye (1:54.2)

Race 6 – Major Bliss (1:53.4)

Race 7 – Jetting Around (1:54.3)

Race 8 – Fox Valley Bailey (1:53.4)

Race 9 – Rockinaroundheaven (1:54.4)

Race 10 – Mobil Big John (1:52.3)

Race 11 – Red Hot Art (1:54.0)

Race 12 – If You Say So (1:55.3)

Jim Miller