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Favorite Disposablepleasure Takes Sixty Sails

Disposablepleasure scored her second 2013 straight victory when she kicked clear in upper-stretch and prevailed by an easy 1 1/2 lengths over Brushed by a Star in the April 20 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne.

THS: Lexington Stakes and Illinois Derby

Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne.

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Overlooked Illinois Derby Comes Up Strong

It may not be worth points on the road to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), but the $750,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III) drew a packed field of 14, including some familiar names, when entries were taken April 17

Brushed By a Star is Class of Sixty Sails

Out from the shadow of rival Joyful Victory, Brushed by a Star has a chance to shine in the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course April 20.

Hawthorne to Hike Overnight Purses 15%

Hawthorne Race Course announced Feb. 22 that overnight purses at the track will increase by $12,000 per day, effective, a hike of approximately 15% that takes effect March 1.

Illinois Derby Purse Increased to $750,000

The Illinois Racing Board Jan. 29 approved an increase in the purse for this year's Illinois Derby (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course and a renewal of the $400,000 American St. Leger started last year at Arlington.

Jim Benes Wins Handicapping Championship

Jim Benes topped a field of 455 to win the $750,000 first-place prize and an Eclipse Award as Handicapper of the Year.

Midwest Thoroughbreds Sets Win Record

Richard and Karen Papiese's Midwest Thoroughbreds surpassed a 38-year-old single-season record for victories by an owner this month with 501 winners from 1,706 starters in 2012. The old record was 494 wins.

Hawthorne Approved to Drop Seven Racing Days

The Illinois Racing Board Nov. 27 approved Hawthorne Race Course's request to drop seven Wednesday cards because of the effects of an outbreak of neurological equine herpes on the backstretch.

Jockey Seth Martinez Gets 2,000th Victory

Jockey Seth Martinez, who began riding in 1995, won the 2,000th race of his career when he guided maiden Mission Storm to a 2 3/4-length victory at odds of 28-1 at Hawthorne Race Course Nov. 24.

Additional EHV-I Cases Found at Hawthorne

Two additional horses at Hawthorne Race Course were moved to an isolation barn area Oct. 26 after testing positive for equine herpesvirus, a track official reported.

Thornton Breaks Collarbone at Hawthorne

Rider Tim Thornton suffered a broken collarbone and facial fractures when he was dislodged after his mount clipped heels with another horse near the quarter mile pole in the fourth race at Hawthorne Race Course Oct. 21.

Jockeys Vargas, Gandia Register First Wins

Apprentice jockeys Jorge Vargas Jr. and Tori Gandia recorded their first victories Oct. 17.

Two Months Rent Grabs Wet Hawthorne Derby

In a driving rainstorm at Hawthorne Oct. 13, Two Months Rent emerged from the pack at mid-stretch to chase down Film Shot in the final yards for a neck victory at 20-1 odds in the $200,000 Hawthorne Derby (gr. IIIT).

Alternation Returns in Hawthorne Gold Cup

Pin Oak Stable's homebred Alternation, winner of five of six starts this year, will make his first start in almost two months when he carries top weight in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup.

Illinois Board OKs Hotly Contested '13 Dates

A below-strength Illinois Racing Board, after a grueling day of testimony and deliberation, required two voice votes Sept. 25 to approve a hotly contested schedule for 2013 live racing.

Gold Cup Headlines Hawthorne Fall Meet

The $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II) will once again headline the stakes schedule at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Il.

Jockey Eddie Razo Found Dead

Jockey Eddie Razo Jr., a well-known rider on the Midwest circuit, was found dead following the extinguishing of a garage fire in Long Grove, Ill. April 24. His death was confirmed by jockey agent Ronnie Ebanks.

She's All In Rolls to Sixty Sails Jackpot

She's All In turned in the biggest effort of her career when she came from off the pace to dominate the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) by 8 3/4 lengths at Hawthorne April 21.

Arena Elvira After 6th in Row in Sixty Sails

Arena Elvira looks to extend her winning streak to six races in a row when she faces a solid field of older fillies and mares in the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course April 21.

After the Wire - 4/8/2012

Evan recaps the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Illinois Derby and Ashland Stakes from the weekend.

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Done Talking Delivers Illinois Derby Upset

With Sheldon Russell aboard for trainer Hamilton Smith, Skeedattle Stable's Done Talking ran down Morgan's Guerrilla in the final yards to post a 12-1 upset in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III) April 7 at Hawthorne.

Wide-Open Illinois Derby Draws 14

In what is easily the most wide-open field of all the final Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) preps, the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III) drew a full field of 14 for the April 7 event at Hawthorne Race Course.

Arlington Fund-Raiser for Horse Rescue

Galloping Out Thoroughbred Rescue Fund will hold its annual fund-rasier in the paddock area at Arlington Park following the last race on Saturday, June 25.

Hawthorne Cancels Sixty Sails

The $200,000 guaranteed Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) has been canceled.

Watch Me Go Among 12 in Illinois Derby

A little more than three weeks ago Watch Me Go was dismissed at odds of 47-1 in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. II). Now, the son of West Acre is the horse to beat in the $300,000 TVG Illinois Derby (gr. III).

Illinois Derby Gets Purse Increase

The partnership between Hawthorne Race Course and TVG for the Illinois Derby (gr. III) has allowed for the purse for the race to be increased from $250,000 to $300,000.

Jockey Eduardo Perez Earns 2,000th Victory

Jockey Eduardo Perez won the 2,000the race of his career when he guided favored Lighthouse Judge to a nose victory at Hawthorne Race Course March 16.

Well-Matched Field in Hawthorne Gold Cup

A well-matched field of eight older horses have been entered in the $250,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) at Hawthorne Racecourse on Oct. 2.

Illinois Dates Approved for 2011

Fairmount Park in southern Illinois received approval Sept. 28 for 75 racing dates in 2011, up from the 52 days of live racing this year.

Slot Legislation Push On Again in Illinois

Arlington Park president says the track will go out of business without slots.

Jockey Wade Injured in Hawthorne Accident

Jockey Lyndie Wade will be sidelined for foru to six weeks as a result of injuries he sustained during the running of the fifth race at Hawthorne on Feb. 19.

Weather KOs Racing Across the Country

A large winter storm sweeping across the country producing snow and high winds has caused several tracks to cancel their race cards for Dec. 9.

Winter Weather Cancels Hawthorne Dec. 9-10

With snow and high winds in the forecast, Hawthorne Race Course will shut down for two days.

Hawthorne's First Night Program Successful

Thoroughbreds ran under lights for the first time at Hawthorne Race Course Oct. 9, an innovative step taken in the Illinois track's 100th year of operation.

No Inflation Favored in Hawthorne Derby

Glen Hill Farm's No Inflation, a romping winner last out in the Kent Stakes (gr. IIIT), was installed as the lukewarm 3-1 favorite in the $200,000 Hawthorne Derby (gr. IIIT) Oct. 10.

HANA's Top-10 Tracks - #8 Hawthorne

The Horseplayers Association of North America regularly rates the 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Featured exclusively on BloodHorse.com is a countdown of the top 10 tracks. Hawthorne Race Course is #8.

Turfway, Hawthorne Cancel Racing Dec. 21

With forecasters promising strong winds and single-digit windchill temperatures, Turfway Park and Hawthorne Race Course have canceled live racing for Dec. 21.

Fields Set For Ill. Festival of Racing

The Illinois Festival of Racing on Nov. 1 marks the time on the calendar to celebrate the local state-bred equines that populate the majority of Hawthorne's backstretch. And while the progeny of the state's Thoroughbreds won't be confused with those from Kentucky, many have proven successful when raced on the national stage.

Fairbanks Makes Statement at Hawthorne

Team Valor International's Fairbanks moved into striking position around the far turn, burst to the front in upper stretch, and cruised to the wire a 2 3/4-length winner under Richard Migliore Sept. 27 in the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) in Illinois.

Golden Velvet Draws Away in Sixty Sails

Golden Velvet turned the tables on rival Tessa Blue, but only after gutting it out in a neck-and-neck battle with that one in the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course.

Recapturetheglory Works at Churchill

Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner Recapturetheglory, a potential contender for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs April 17.

Fillies and Mares Rematch in Sixty Sails

Separate rivalries will continue - this time combined - when a field of eight older fillies and mares goes postward in the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) at Hawthorne Race Course April 19.

TVG Deal Part of Hawthorne's Bigger Plan

TVG has announced an exclusive multi-year agreement that ends an 18-month hiatus of Hawthorne Race Course from the racing network's line-up, and the Illinois track says it is all part of bigger plan to broaden its own plans for a self-run wagering entity.

Hawthorne Optimistic For Spring Meet

Handle rose by more than 7% during Hawthorne Park's new January racing schedule, and the Chicago-area racetrack is hoping that the upswing will continue when doors open March 7 for the start of its spring meet.

Inside Track: Make It or Break It

When you meet Thornton in person, you think he is a very, very nice young man. You wonder how he remained steady and well-mannered even after encountering the racetrack's fast-paced lifestyle. When you hear of his multiple injuries and comebacks, you wonder why he hasn't given up on riding or spiraled into oblivion. Then you speak to his mother, and it all makes perfect sense.

Hawthorne Cancels Dec. 23 Card

Due to high winds in the Chicago area, Hawthorne Race Course cancelled its Dec. 23 program

Hawthorne Cancels Racing

Hawthorne Race Course cancelled the remainder of its Dec. 13 card due to unacceptable track conditions, the racetrack announced following the second race of the day.

Hawthorne Sets 2008 Stakes Schedule

After final approval from the Illinois Racing Board Dec. 13, Hawthorne Race Course announced the 2008 stakes schedule for its spring and fall meets.

Meir, Wade Injured at Hawthorne

Riders Randy Meier and Lyndie Wade were hospitalized with injuries sustained in a two-horse fall during the running of Hawthorne's third race on Nov. 30.