Hawthorne Race Course

Contact: Mitch Demick (708) 222-4542

SOUTHERN ROCKETOP CRUSHES TRACK RECORD

Southern Rocketop

Claude D Powers’ Southern Rocketop, after a couple of disappointing Hawthorne races, cruised to a nine-length victory in Tuesday’s Leg 2 of the Maxter Series, on his way to dramatically lowering the track standard for 2-year-old Colts and Geldings. His 1:57.3 was a full one and three-fifths seconds faster than the old track record that had been in effect since Maxter himself set the record last August.

Driver Brian Carpenter sent this ICF Gelding right to the lead and from that moment on, it wasn’t as much a question of if, but more like ‘how many.’

“We made some equipment changes and it made all the difference in the world,” explained his most ecstatic trainer, Monique Bernardi.

Southern Rocketop can be seen defending his newly-established record on Saturday, Aug 1, during Hawthorne’s Night of Champions.

Hawthorne Race Course’s Summer harness meet paces from Tuesday June 24 and continues through August 7. Live racing will be conducted Tuesday through Sunday, first post 7:20 pm, except Sunday, first post 6:30 pm. Thoroughbreds return on September 26, and race until the end of the year. The track is open year-round for simulcast wagering, day and night. Hawthorne Race Course is located at 3501 Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804. Call (708) 780-3700 or visit the Web site at www.hawthorneracecourse.com.