Hawthorne Race Course

Contact: Mitch Demick (708) 222-4542

Action Figure Dominant in Carey Preview

Action Figure all alone in the Carey Jr. Preview

The Robert F. Carey Memorial Preview held Saturday, July 26, at Hawthorne Race Course was the stage for a powerful performance by Hazel Park invader Action Figure, as the 5-year-old gelding held off 4-5 favorite Load The Dice and scored by one and three-quarter lengths in a career best time of 1:49.4. Last year’s Carey Memorial winner Thisbigdogwilfight finished third, beaten more than two lengths by the winner.

The son of Armbro Cadet was driven to victory by top Michigan-based reinsman Brad Kramer and trained by 2007 Michigan Horseman of the Year, Marie St. Charles. For Kramer it was win number 5,999, and it came steering a horse he knew would be tough against tonight’s competition.

“I wanted to be first over if I couldn’t get to the top with him,” said Kramer. “He’s really a tough horse and he’s underrated with these guys, but he’s a fighter and he likes to be in the race and battle.”

To say he “battled” would be an understatement as nothing was given to Action Figure from the second the race began. At the bell, Kramer tried sending ‘Action,’ but Booze Cruzin and driver Sam Widger were hell-bent on getting to the top and did so in a swift 26.1. Action Figure was forced to tuck back in third, but before the half-mile mark, the pair made their move uncovered and put pressure on the leader, reaching the half in a very fast 53.3.

When Action Figure turned for home, he assumed command, but had to pace in 1:22.0 to get there. Those assuming the rigors of the trip would undo the shipper were dead wrong as he easily held steady to the wire in convincing fashion.

Sent off at odds of 4-1, Action Figure paid an even $10.00 to win.

As for Load The Dice and second choice My Boy David, perhaps having not raced in two weeks and having less than ideal trips might have contributed to their performances. At any rate, all eight of tonight’s pacers, along with Benns Superman, will be back next week to compete in the $90,000 Robert F. Carey Jr. Memorial.

Should be a heck of a race.

Prize Art getting by Mucho Sleazy

Meadowlands Pace fourth-place finisher Mucho Sleazy failed to pay off the chalk players who pounded him down to 1-2, but the defending Illinois-bred 2-year-old champion will qualify for next week’s Booze Cruzin finals anyway.

Mucho Sleazy was beaten Saturday by a nice racehorse named Prize Art, but the homebred son of Sportsmaster was clearly second best and that means he gets a chance to redeem himself in the $53,500 finals and that’s really all owner Marty Engel needed from his talented sophomore.

“Dave did a great job handling him tonight and I’m glad that after such a tough mile a week ago, he didn’t have to rough it too much to make it to Champion’s night,” said Engel.

In the meantime, Prize Art was winning for the fourth time this meet. He’s trained by Ronnie Roberts and was driven by his regular pilot Brent Holland.

“It worked out perfect tonight,” said Holland. “I got to the front and I was looking for Davy (Magee, driver of Mucho Sleazy). I thought Mucho Sleazy might be tired shipping all over the country and I thought we had an advantage being relatively lightly raced. Next week should be a great race and should depend quite a lot on the draw.”

For the record Prize Art beat Mucho Sleazy by one and three-quarter lengths in a time of 1:50.3. It was four lengths back to King of Kings who finished third.

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.