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.
“The TVG Illinois Derby is our marquee race of the spring meet and we want to do everything we can to make it the most competitive race possible while continuing our run on sending winners from our race to the (Kentucky) Derby,” stated assistant meneral manager Jim Miller. “TVG has been a great partner with Hawthorne and the additional sponsorship money is best put forth going into the purse of our grade III event.”
The 54th running of the Illinois Derby will take place on Saturday, April 9 with entries being taken on Wednesday, April 6. The race will be run as the seventh race on the Hawthorne card with a post time of 4:37 p.m. CDT.