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Go Go Gabby talks back; Fox Valley Shimmy dances into the winner’s circle

The Silhouette Star Final field is set!

Go Go Gabby, the third choice in first Leg 2 of the Silhouette Star, extended her win streak to a perfect three-for-three in 2006, trotting the mile in a new lifetime best of 1:58.4 and earning first-place honors in the Silhouette Star Eliminations. She took the lead quickly, built up a two-length lead in the stretch, then had to withstand the late move of second choice Miss Imperial. Along the way, she set fractions of :29.3, 1:00.1, and 1:30.4.

Odds-on favorite Tomato broke stride early and, even though she recovered and got up to second in the stretch, she was unable to sustain her bid and ultimately faded to fourth.

With the $6000 earned from this race, Go Go Gabby, owned by Roger Welch, Robert Rietveld & Phillip Rietveld and trained by Roger Welch, boosted her lifetime earnings to $98,559.

Fox Valley Shimmy, parked early after starting from the nine hole, took the lead approaching the half and never looked back in the second Leg 2 of the Silhouette Star. This was the first victory for this daughter of International Chip. Owned by Paula Smith, K. Spurlock, James Runyan & Tripoli Stable and trained by Amanda Smith, this filly got the mile in 1:59.2 after fractions of :30.4, 1:00, and 1:29.2 and, with the win, increased her earnings to $81,795.

Peaceful Victory raced in second from the first quarter on but never seriously challenged for the win.

Favored Fox Valley Amber broke stride around the three-quarter mark and never really recovered.

These fillies will meet next Saturday, June 3, in Hawthorne’s second Night of Champions and race for a purse of $49,000.

The top 11 to qualify for the Silhouette Star Final (there was a tie for 10th) are:

Go Go Gabby $10,000
Fox Valley Shimmy $8,000
Tomato $4,960
Peaceful Victory $3,640
Miss Imperial $3,000
Phil McRackin $2,600
Hi Tri $1,840
Giant Jelly Bean $1,560
Cherry Lane Star $1,440
Fox Valley Go Girl $960
Alesha Marie $960

The purses for the other six Finals have also been set, and are as follows:

THE BRANDENBURG (3yr c&g trot) $47,500
THE PLUM PEACHY (3yr filly pace) $47,500
THE HOT HEAD (3yr c&g pace) $45,000
THE EDDIE OAKLEY (older trot) $48,000 est.
THE LOYAL OPPOSITION (older mare pace) $48,000
THE JIMMYS PILOT (older male pace) $53,500

Hawthorne’s spring 2006 Standardbred meet runs May 6 through June 17 with live racing six days per week: Tuesday through Sunday. Post time is 7:20 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, and opening day, Saturday May 6 (special early post).

Hawthorne’s fall 2006 Thoroughbred meet runs September 15 through December 31 with live racing five days per week: Wednesday through Sunday. Post time is 1:10 p.m.

Hawthorne’s spring 2006 Thoroughbred meet ran February 24 through May 2.

For more information visit www.hawthorneracecourse.com.

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