HARNESS RACING

Two Weeks Notice captured the $82,000 Dygert Memorial Trot Saturday night at Hawthorne, thanks to a perfect steer by Hall of Fame reinsman Dave Magee.

Magee had driven the 6-year-old son of Yankee Glide to victory in his Dygert elimination one week prior using different driving tactics. That night, Magee had reined the gelding in a 1:55.3 come-from-behind victory.

For the final, however, Magee put his trotter on the lead just before the 57-second half, as Two Weeks Notice cruised to his fourth consecutive victory of the season in 1:54.1.

"I felt like I had the best horse in the race," said Magee, the Hall of Fame driver who recorded career win No. 10,725 in his second Dygert championship. "We've had pretty easy journeys both times I've driven him and while I don't think the front his necessarily his strongest suit, I thought he was good enough off those last few winning races to be a good horse on the lead tonight."

Two Weeks Notice responded well to Magee, holding off his late rushing challengers by 1 1/2 lengths. Armbro Balance and driver Del Chupp finished second in the classic, while Birminghim -- the only Canadian invader in the race -- and driver Trevor Ritchie were third.

"There was no problem when they came at him in the lane. He had plenty left," Magee said.

Trainer Joe Anderson acquired Two Weeks Notice after he won a $30,000 Invitational Trot on June 30 at Hoosier Park. The gelding then captured back-to-back Dygert prep races at Hawthorne with Magee in the sulky. He now has $162,960 in seasonal earnings and $270,537 in career earnings.

"Two Weeks Notice has gotten better and better with each start here," Magee said. "Joe has really done a great job of preparing the horse for this stake."

Runner-up Armbro Balance -- conditioned by Balmoral-based trainer Merv Chupp -- had been racing well in the Hoosier Park Invitational ranks before shipping to Chicago for the Dygert.

The 6-year-old son of Balanced Image added $20,500 to his seasonal bankroll of $74,801.