Illinois Derby and State of Industry Special Planned for Horsin' Around TV

The April 3 Illinois Derby (gr. II) at Hawthorne Race Course and a special about the state of racing industry in Illinois will highlight the April 3 programming schedule of Horsin' Around TV. Dave Gutfreund, the show's regular Thoroughbred analyst, and the Daily Racing Form's Marcus Hersh will join producer and host Joe Kristufek to break down Hawthorne's key Triple Crown prep.

The state of the industry piece, produced by Liane Davis, will tackle the critical issue of the lingering racetrack equity fund and the possibility of installing slot machines at the track.

The wide- ranging presentation is highlighted by interviews with the issue's major players, including: Illinois State Rep. Lou Lang (D), Arlington president Cliff Goodrich, Hawthorne director of operations Thomas F. Carey III, Balmoral Park president Johnny Johnston, Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president and Thoroughbred trainer Joe Kasperski, Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association president and Chicago's leading harness driver Tony Morgan and ITHA board member and Illinois trainer and breeder Chris Block.

The piece will also include segments from Evangeline Downs, a Louisiana track that has flourished with the addition of slots, and New Hampshire's Rockingham Park, where the failure to pass slot legislation has seemingly doomed one of America's most storied racetracks.

The broadcast will also include:

· An interview with Todd Pletcher, who sends out potential Illinois Derby favorite Pollard's Vision on Saturday. Pletcher trains four viable contenders for the 2004 Kentucky Derby on May 1 (Limehouse, Value Plus and Purge).

· Jim Miller's report on the recent transformation of the Illinois Derby into a major Triple Crown prep race.

· The Daily Racing Form's "Race of the Week", highlighting the Santa Anita Derby.

· Mike Antoniades' harness report, featuring Saturday's $50,000 Bal/Cal Pick Four Wager.

Horsin' Around TV airs Saturday mornings on Fox Sports Net Chicago at 5:30 a.m. and again at 11 a.m. Typically, the show is re-aired at 11:30 a.m. over Hawthorne's local and national simulcast feed, but due to this week's extended one-hour time frame, the track will send out the show at 11 a.m.