Live racing returns to Hawthorne Race Course on February 17
By Mike Porcaro
While spring in Chicago is just around the corner, I think most people around here would agree that we’ve had a very spring-worthy winter so far.
Racing fans hope that the good weather continues as live racing returns to Hawthorne Race Course on Feb. 17 after a six week hiatus. Live racing in February will be conducted Fridays through Sundays with a daily post of 1:40 PM. Beginning Feb. 29, a live Wednesday card will be added for the remainder of the meet. The meet concludes on April 29.
The good weather should help plenty in kicking off what promises to be a solid late winter/early spring of racing featuring the signature event of the meet, the Illinois Derby, on April 7. Early Nominations for the Grade III, $500,000 event, a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby, closed on Feb. 3. Ninety-one horses were nominated for the 1 1/8 mile dirt race. In 2011, the purse was $300,000, but with funds from the impact fees released in the fall of 2011, the prize money went back to its traditional $500,000 for the Illinois Derby.
Late nominations for the Illinois Derby close March 24.
According to a press release from Hawthorne on Feb. 7 about the Illinois Derby, “The top two finishers for the Eclipse Award voting for two-year-old colts from 2011 are among the nominations as Hansen and Union Rags top the list. Following his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile victory, Hansen made his three-year-old debut in the slop, running second in the Grade 3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream on January 29. After his near miss in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Union Rags is pointed towards his return in the Fountain of Youth.”
In addition to the Illinois Derby, older horses will have a stakes opportunity with the return of the $60,000 added Cryptoclearance to be contested at 1 1/16 Miles on the dirt. Illinois Champions Day, featuring some of the best talent in the Land of Lincoln, is April 28 with six $125,000 stakes races.
Along with some great local (and national) horses, jockeys and trainers, racing fans will be big winners with a variety of great promotions and events occurring, including a “Survivor Contest” beginning Feb. 24. Registration started on Feb. 1. Those wishing to enter can visit Hawthorne’s Guest Services for rules.
In another contest, fans will have the chance to win a VIP trip
to the 2012 Kentucky Derby and a new car by playing at Hawthorne
Race Course, at any Hawthorne OTB or online at Xpressbet.com and
betting one of the 2012 designated Derby prep races every
weekend from Feb. 18 through April 14, 2012. The contest
includes $350 in weekly prizes with six $1000 first place
prizes, as well as a grand prize of $15,000.
Many fans will have fun with the “Jim vs.” feature on Wednesdays when they can square off with Assistant General Manager Jim Miller in head-to-head handicapping. Every Wednesday, a lucky fan will get the chance to co-host the day’s pre-race show with Mr. Miller. In addition, the selected co-host will provide their best plays of the day with a chance to “Beat Jim” (and earn the title of “Greatest Handicapper Alive,” as well as receiving Hawthorne Bonus Points). See Guest Services to enter.
Hawthorne offers “$2 Fan Friendly Fridays” as every Friday, the track offers $2 admission, including a live program, $2 hot dogs, $2 draft beer and $2 food specials. Opening Weekend (Feb. 17) is Bonus Points Weekend where players are given triple points all three days of opening weekend when betting Hawthorne. “Giveaways” on opening weekend include, on Friday, a free $4 Quick Pick 4; Saturday, buy one buffet get one free; Sunday, free Hawthorne Race Course knit cap. All giveaways are for the first 500 guests with paid admission after 10:30 am.
So for the “luck” of continued good racing and good times at Hawthorne Race Course, let’s hope the spring-like weather we’ve had in Chicago all winter long holds up past the time when the real spring officially starts on March 21.
Visit www.HawthorneRaceCourse.com for details of live racing, contests and promotions.
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