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 Derby
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Illinois Derby
Illinois Horsemen Object to Stake's Inclusion
The Illinois Racing Board approved this year's Chicago-area Thoroughbred stakes schedule Jan. 31 despite strong opposition by horsemen to the continuation of one race.
Departing to End Season in Oklahoma Derby
Trainer Al Stall Jr. said the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby (gr. III) at Remington Park Sept. 29 will be the last start of the season for Departing, winner of the Sept. 7 Super Derby (gr. II) last time out.
Departing Wins by Daylight in Super Derby
There's no doubt Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's 3-year-old Departing is a talented runner, and he reinforced that point Sept. 7 by winning the $500,000 Super Derby (gr. II) by four lengths at Louisiana Downs.
Departing Sees Pimlico for First Time
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Illinois Derby (gr. III) winner Departing got his first taste of Pimlico Race Course the morning of May 16 by galloping 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Trina Pasckvale.
Mylute Confirmed for Preakness Stakes
GoldMark Farm and Whisper Hill Farm's Mylute, fifth-place finisher in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I), is a go for the May 18 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), trainer Tom Amoss said the morning of May 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.
THS: Lexington Stakes and Illinois Derby
Claire Novak and Frank Angst handicap the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. watch video
Coolmore Lexington, Illinois Derby Selections
The major Kentucky Derby by Yum! Brands preps are finished, but there's still some good 3-year-old racing out there. Let's take a look at the Grade III Coolmore Lexington Stakes and the Grade III Illinois Derby.
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
Illinois Derby, Preakness for Dewey Square
Rather than make a last-ditch effort to get Dewey Square into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), trainer Dale Romans said it is likely the colt will be pointed toward the $750,000 Illinois 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.
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.
Arlington Files Suit Over Simulcast Dates
In a lawsuit filed last month, Arlington Park contends the Illinois Racing Board acted improperly when it seized 18 simulcast host days and awarded them to rival Hawthorne Race Course.
And They're Off: Octoberfest Edition
- By Steve Haskin
Steve and Lenny examine the BC Ladies' Classic, Juvenile Fillies, I'll Have Another, Aqueduct and the Illinois Derby. Plus a list of the top 10 things Churchill will do if it take's over NYRA. Sponsored by Darby Dan Farm. watch video
After the Wire - 4/8/2012
Evan recaps the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Illinois Derby and Ashland Stakes from the weekend. watch video
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.
Triple Crown Talk: A Tell-Tale Weekend
Three big Kentucky Derby preps are on tap on Saturday from around the country. read blog
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.
Is Illinois Derby Pletcher's Stepping Stone?
It's possible Todd Pletcher will have just one Kentucky Derby horse, and the name of that horse is Our Entourage.
Repole Hopes to Bring an 'Entourage' to Derby
Mike Repole is taking the son of Street Cry to the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. III), where he will try to gain a berth in the May 5 Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Final Preps Will Tell the Story
A cheat sheet from Jason Shandler for the remaining Derby preps. read blog
Paynter to Make Next Start in Illinois Derby
Zayat Stables colt will make his second career start in grade II race at Hawthorne.
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.
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.
Ky. Derby Trail: Cry Uncle
OK, Uncle Mo lost the Wood Memorial; time to move on. Read Blog
Weekend Derby Prep Analysis
A huge weekend of racing like this, which includes three Derby preps and opening weekend of Keeneland, needs little introduction. Let's get right to it. Read Blog
Triple Crown Insider - 04/08/2011
A review of the Florida Derby, the Dream Big Moment with Robert LaPenta, owner of Dialed In, and a look at the three preps for the weekend: Wood Memorial, Illinois Derby, and Santa Anita Derby. Watch Video
Radio Coverage of Santa Anita Derby
Horse Racing Radio Network will broadcast live from Santa Anita Park on Saturday, April 9, with exclusive radio coverage of the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).
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.
Beverage Distributor on Old Sportsman's Site
The site of old Sportsman's Park in Illinois will complete a kind of weird full circle with plans to build a new headquarters for Wirtz Beverage Illinois on the suburban Chicago acreage.
Weekend Winners Safe on Graded Earnings List
Churchill Downs' official list of Kentucky Derby contenders by graded stakes earnings as of April 5.
Kentucky Derby Trail: Stars Finally Break Out
Let's concentrate on the obvious: Sidney's Candy, Eskendereya were impressive; WinStar Farm could have as many as five starters.
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.
Downey: A Play Against Wood Memorial Chalk
Any horse moving on to the Kentucky Derby from the Grade I Wood Memorial will be deprived of competing against a large field on Saturday. Aside from that, this could turn into a rider's race and odd things could happen.
THS: Wood Memorial
Jason, Tom, and Les Instone of twinspires.com preview the Wood Memorial (gr. I), the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I), and the Illinois Derby (gr. III). Watch Video
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.
Vic Carlson: The Man Behind the Musket
Owner Vic Carlson leaned against the wall of Barn 41 April 29 at Churchill Downs waiting for his Musket Man to head to the track for his morning gallop. The one-time high school athletic director turned money-machine magnate has been to the Kentucky Derby before, but not with some skin in the game.
Musket Man Continues Progress Toward Derby
Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner Musket Man continued his progress toward the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a six-furlong workout in 1:14 4/5 at Churchill Downs April 25.
Giant Oak Leaves Derby Trail
The Virginia H. Tarra Trust's Giant Oak, runner-up in the Kentucky Jockey Club (gr. II) at Churchill Downs and the recent Illinois Derby (gr. II), is out of consideration for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
HRTV: Pursuit of the Crown April 10
HRTV's weekly series analyzing the pursuit of the Triple Crown. This week's edition includes previews of the Arkansas Derby and Blues Grass Stakes, and recaps of the Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby, and Illinois Derby.
Ky. Derby Trail: Coast Clash Looms Big
It's not quite the Sunshine Millions, but this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) is looking like a regional battle between California- and Florida-based horses, who at this point appear on their way to occupying the top four favorite roles in the Run for the Roses.
Musket Man Wins Illinois Derby
Musket Man took over at the top of the lane and cruised to an impressive two-length victory in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) April 4 at Hawthorne Park. It was the second straight graded stakes victory for the son of Yonaguska, who also took the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) last month.
HRTV: Pursuit of the Crown April 3
Featuring previews of the Santa Anita Derby (including words from Bob Baffert and Julio Canani), Wood Memorial, and Illinois Derby, and recaps of the Florida Derby and the UAE Derby. Plus, updates on Charitable Man and Dunkirk.
Look for Early Pace in Illinois Derby
Early pace often makes the race in the grade II Illinois Derby, and this Saturday may not be much different than usual.
Analysis: Wood, Santa Anita, & Illinois
Triple Crown Talk blog, with host Jason Shandler, analyzes the Wood Memorial, and the Santa Anita and Illinois Derbies. Plus, join Jason and Dick Downey from the TheDowneyProfile.com for a live chat at noon Eastern on April 4.
Musket Man Illinois Derby Favorite
Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) winner Musket Man and Illinois-bred Giant Oak lead a wide-open field of 11 in the 52nd edition of the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) April 4 at Hawthorne Race Course
Average Total Handle Rises at Hawthorne
Hawthorne Race Course in Illinois registered gains in average daily total handle for its 2008-09 fall/winter meet thanks to increases in out-of-state wagering. On-track and in-state handle on Hawthorne races declined, however.
Illinois Announces 2009 Stakes Schedule
The Illinois Racing Board Dec. 10 released its 2009 stakes schedule.
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