Hawthorne Hopes to Overcome Obstacles
Live Thoroughbred racing returned to the Chicago area Feb. 20 as Hawthorne Race Course began its season amid frigid weather and an equally challenging financial and political landscape.
Hawthorne Race Course
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Hawthorne Race Course
New Leadership Coming for Illinois Board
Newly inaugurated Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner is shaking up the Illinois Racing Board, ousting chairman William Berry and appointing three new members -- one perhaps only for transition purposes.
Hawthorne Jockey Slinger Sent to Hospital
Jockey Stephanie Slinger was taken to Loyola Medical Center complaining of rib and back pain after being thrown from her mount in the fifth race Jan. 1 at Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Ill.
Hawthorne: Average Daily Handle Increases
Hawthorne Race Course reported increases in average daily pari-mutuel handle for its 2014 fall/winter meet, which ended Dec. 31.
Red Rifle Continues Good Season for Geroux
Twin Creeks Racing Stable's Red Rifle delivered the latest in a line of satisfying stakes scores for jockey Florent Geroux Nov. 29, winning the $250,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II).
Tracks Find Human Touch Key With New Apps
In trying to introduce customers to new technology such as track wagering apps and web-based platforms, racetracks are finding a human touch-and a little cash -- still helps.
Hawthorne Spring Meet to Begin Feb. 21
Hawthorne Race Course's spring meet begins Friday, Feb. 21. Sixty-nine horses are entered for the opening day card at the Stickney, Ill., track.
Illinois Reauthorizes ADW at Last Minute
Acting under a looming deadline, the Illinois legislature Jan. 29 reauthorized advance deposit wagering in the state, staving off a draconian cut in 2014 racing dates.
Xpressbet Offers Sweepstakes for Customers
Online wagering provider Xpressbet is giving two customers the opportunity to place a $10,000 win bet on a horse of their choosing.
Former Racetrack Executive Edward Duffy Dies
Edward Duffy, a former Chicago police officer who went on to become an executive at two Illinois racetracks, died Jan. 4, 2014, in Arlington Heights, Ill., at age 68.
No Legislative Action on Illinois ADW Bill
Illinois racing remained on the brink of virtual extinction as the state legislature took no action Dec. 3 on a bill that would have provided funding to run a full 2014 schedule.
Hawthorne Gold Cup: Last Gunfighter Prevails
New York shipper Last Gunfighter earned his fourth graded stakes win of the year, closing to get the job done in the $350,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II) at Hawthorne Racecourse Nov. 30.
Last Gunfighter, Alpha Top Hawthorne Gold Cup
Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) contender Last Gunfighter and grade I winner Alpha head a competitive Nov. 30 edition of the $350,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap Presented by Xpressbet (gr. II).
ADW Extension Agreement Reached in Illinois
Illinois horsemen and representatives of the state's racetracks and Advance Deposit Wagering providers have reached agreement on an extension of ADW for three years.
Longshot Delivers Trainer Reed Win 1,000
Kentucky-based trainer Eric Reed secured the 1,000th victory of his career Sunday, Oct. 27 when Itsyesornoihavtogo scored an upset victory in the first race at Hawthorne Race Course.
IL Racing Gutted Unless Legislature Acts
The Illinois Racing Board approved four alternate schedules Sept. 24 for 2014 racing with legislative action--or inaction--left to determine which one is put into effect.
Illinois Board Starts 2014 Dates Deliberation
No decision or recommendation will result from the preliminary hearing, but it will launch deliberations and clear the way for a vote a week later.
Illinois Tracks Officially Get Casino Money
The Illinois Racing Board June 25 formally allocated $23 million in casino money to the state's racing interests amid hopes it will bridge a financial gap until a broader gaming expansion bill is approved.
Hawthorne Names Plever New Racing Secretary
Hawthorne Race Course has hired industry veteran Allan Plever as racing secretary and director of racing operations, the Chicagoland oval announced in a release June 11.
Departing Dusts Rivals in Illinois Derby
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Departing rolled to a strong 3 1/4-length victory in the $750,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne April 20, proving his class after a third-place finish in the March 30 Louisiana Derby.
Hawthorne Kicks Off Chicago Racing Season
Hawthorne Race Course will begin the 2013 live Thoroughbred racing season in the Chicago area Feb. 15 for a 49-day winter/spring meet that concludes April 28.
Oaklawn Continues Ban on Hawthorne Horses
Despite the lifting an equine herpesvirus-related quarantine at Hawthorne Race Course, Oaklawn Park in Arkansas is still not permitting Hawthorne horses on its grounds.
Hawthorne Quarantine Could be Lifted Jan. 10
Seven horses have died since an equine herpesvirus outbreak in October, including a horse who had been in quarantine on Dec. 24.
EHV-1 Impacts Hawthorne Horsemen's Plans
A horse at Hawthorne was euthanized Nov. 26 and a necropsy revealed the horse had EHV-1. It is the fourth horse to die of the disease during the Hawthorne fall meet.
Hawthorne Continues to Deal with EHV-1
On Nov. 16, track officials confirmed a horse who died Nov. 14 and one other ailing horse had tested positive for EHV-1. The deceased horse is the third confirmed death from EHV-1 during the outbreak.
EHV-1 Outbreak: Hawthorne Adjusts Training
Updated test results from an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) at Hawthorne became available Nov. 7, and Hawthorne announced training hours would be adjusted to facilitate reintroduction of horses into the population.
Oaklawn Bans Hawthorne Horses Due to EHV-1
With the Oaklawn Park stable area set to open Nov. 12, the Arkansas track announced Nov. 7 that it will ban all horses from Hawthorne in response to a growing number \there being diagnosed with Equine Herpes Virus.
Hawthorne Barn Placed Under Quarantine
Following discussions with state veterinarians, the Department of Agriculture, and consultants from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the decision was made to put a quarantine of the affected barn in place.
KY Issues Directive on Hawthorne Horses
Due to an unknown illness among some horses at Hawthorne Race Course, the Kentucky state veterinarian's office has issued a directive that horses from that Illinois track not be allowed onto tracks in the Bluegrass State.
Quick Wit Poised for Hawthorne Derby
Trainer Dale Romans looks to improve upon the considerable success he has already enjoyed in turf races this season when he sends out Quick Wit in the $200,000 Hawthorne Derby (gr. IIIT) Oct. 13 at Hawthorne Race Course
Pool Play's Gold Cup Tops Casse's Conquests
Pool Play won for the first time since suffering a tendon tear last year, and picked a good race to do it. The 7-year-old son of Silver Deputy took the $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) at Hawthorne Oct. 6.
Hawthorne to Begin Fall Meeting Oct. 5
Hawthorne Race Course will waste little time getting to its top races when the 62-day fall meet, highlighted by the Oct. 6 $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II), begins Oct. 5.
Brighter Days on Illinois Racing Horizon?
Hawthorne Race Course opens its spring meet Feb. 17 with higher purses, a lot more horses on the grounds and a hopeful eye on both the weatherman and the state Capitol.
Hawthorne Ties Purse Money to Field Size
Hawthorne Race Course will offer bonus money for larger fields during its spring meet, track officials announced Dec. 26.
IRB Protects Spring Meet at Hawthorne in 2012
The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 27 rejected a 2011 racing dates proposal that would have eliminated the spring meet at Hawthorne Race Course, including the grade III Illinois Derby.
Illinois Board Hears Plea on Purse Accounts
The Illinois Racing Board Aug. 30 referred to staff a request by a horsemen's group to require racetracks to hold newfound purse money in segregated, interest-bearing accounts.
Hawthorne to Pay Purses to Last Place
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Hawthorne Race Course have agreed to pay purses to the bottom finisher in all races beginning with the Friday, April 1, racing card.
Average Daily Wagering Improves at Hawthorne
Management at Hawthorne Race Course attributed improved weather, a schedule change, and larger fields for increased average daily wagering during the fall 2010 meet at the Chicago-area track.
Illinois Senate OKs Gaming Bill; House Next
Illinois senators approved a major expansion of casino gambling, including racetrack slot machines, Dec. 1, but the measure must now pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Gov. Pat Quinn.
Game Redding Colliery Wins Hawthorne Gold Cup
The favorite, he holds off Giant Oak by three-quarters of a length.
IL Horsemen, Tracks to Assist Retired Horses
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association, Arlington Park, and Hawthorne Race Course have agreed to cooperate in a program to provide for the care of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.
Hawthorne Touts Illinois Racetrack Slots Plan
Hawthorne Race Course is touting legislation that would authorize slot machines at Illinois racetracks.
American Lion Wire-to-Wire in Illinois Derby
American Lion ran the race his connections have been waiting for all season April 3, taking the field in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III) all the way around to score by 2 3/4 lengths.
Backtalk Tops Illinois Derby Cast
Backtalk has already amassed more than $170,000 in graded earnings, which is likely already enough to secure him a slot in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) starting gate.
Winter Weather Cancels Hawthorne Dec. 9-10
With snow and high winds in the forecast, Hawthorne Race Course will shut down for two days.
Arrigo Sale Slated for Dec. 28 at Hawthorne
The Arrigo horses of racing age sale will take place Dec. 28 at 10:30 a.m. CST at Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Ill.
Hawthorne Set for Night Racing Experiment
Thoroughbred races have been held under the lights at Hawthorne Race Course in the late fall and winter as daylight diminishes, but for the first time, the Chicago-area track will offer night racing.
Illinois OKs 252 Thoroughbred Dates for 2010
The Illinois Racing Board has approved 439 racing days in the state for 2010, it was announced Sept. 24. The total, which includes 91 live programs at Arlington Park and 109 at Hawthorne Race Course, is the least amount the board has ever issued.
Illinois Tracks Submit Dates Requests
Racetracks in Illinois submitted their 2010 racing dates request July 31 with the state's racing board. Between Arlington Park, Hawthorne Race Course, and Fairmont Park, a total of 420 racing programs were requested.
Swift Temper Game in Sixty Sails Win
Mark Stanley's Swift Temper fought back along the inside in deep stretch to post a gutsy head victory over California shipper Santa Teresita in the $200,000 Sixty Sails Handicap (gr. III) April 18 at Hawthorne Race Course.
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