Hawthorne 2011 Fall Meet Preview
With overnights boosted 50%, a vastly populated backstretch and full-fields expected for most races, the fall Hawthorne Race Course thoroughbred meet kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 1 with 89 (ave.9.9) horses entered on the Opening Day nine race card.
The meet runs through Dec. 31, 2011 with live racing conducted five days per week Wednesday through Sunday. First post daily is 1:35 PM with Fridays through Nov. 25 having a 3:00 PM start. Live racing will also take place on Monday, Dec. 26. The meet picks up again for winter/spring in mid-February 2012.
With the release of funds from HB 1918 and 4957 to the Illinois racing industry, the increase in live racing days will work to the benefit of Hawthorne, the Illinois horsemen and the state of Illinois. In addition, the return of live Sunday racing creates another weekend day for bettors to enjoy racing action on Hawthorne’s one-mile dirt course.
The increased overnights were the key to an overflowing Hawthorne backstretch this fall as there were nearly 2,500 stall applications to occupy the 1,950 stalls that are allotted for each meet. In 2010, Hawthorne averaged overnights of $126,000 per racing card after stakes races were removed. This year that number is expected to be in the range of $200,000 per day for the five-day week.
Because of those strong purse numbers, increased stables from Scott Becker (36 stalls), Joel Berndt (40), Wayne Catalano (40), Chris (40) and Tom Dorris (36), Roger Brueggemann (59), and Frank Kirby (60) should be competitive all meet long. In addition to those Hawthorne regulars, Tim Ice (20 stalls), Mike Stidham (25), Dale Bennett (26), Ingrid Mason (26), John Haran (40) and Gennadi Dorochenko (60) are expected to all fill the entry box this fall.
Returning to the jockey colony is seven time Hawthorne leading rider Chris Emigh, who will be joined by past Hawthorne champs Tim Thornton, Tanner Riggs and Israel Ocampo..
For bettors, Hawthorne has added a new wager, and made some past favorite wagers more enticing. This fall, the $.50 Pick 5 comes to Hawthorne as the popular carryover wager is sure to bring some large pools and large carryovers. To make the wager even more appealing, the takeout on the Pick 5 is only 14%. Additionally, Hawthorne has lowered the takeout on the Place Pick 9, Pick 6 and Hi-5 from 25% to 20% and reduced the minimum wager on the Pick 6 to $1.
The fall stakes program has also been enhanced from 2010, with Hawthorne’s trademark race, the Grade 2 Hawthorne Gold Cup returning to $500,000 and being run a week into the meet on Saturday, October 8. The Indian Maid Handicap and Robert F. Carey Memorial will both be run on the turf on Oct. 8, as well. With the release of the additional purse funds, Hawthorne and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association have decided to further increase the stakes on Illinois Festival of Racing day (October 22) from $100,000 added to $125,000 added.
The complete Hawthorne Stakes Schedule:
Date Stake Purse Age/Sex Distance/Surface
Sat, Oct 8 Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) $500,000 3 yo&up 1 ¼ Miles Main
Sat, Oct 8 Indian Maid Handicap $60,000 3 yo&up f&m 1 1/16 Miles Turf
Sat, Oct 8 Robert F. Carey Memorial $60,000 3 yo &up 1 1/16 Miles Turf
Sat, Oct 15 Hawthorne Derby (G3) $175,000 3 yo 1 1/8 Miles Turf -Presented by TVG
Sat, Oct 22 Powerless Hcp. (IL) $125,000 A 3 yo&up f&m 6 Furlongs Main
Sat, Oct 22 Lightning Jet Hcp. (IL) $125,000 A 3 yo&up 6 Furlongs Main
Sat, Oct 22 Illini Princess Hcp. (IL) $125,000 A 3 yo&up f&m 1 1/16 Miles Main
Sat, Oct 22 Buck’s Boy Hcp. (IL) $125,000 A 3 yo&up 1 1/16 Miles Main
Sat, Oct 22 Showtime Deb Stakes $125,000 A 2 yo fillies 6 Furlongs Main
Sat, Oct 22 Sun Power Stakes $125,000 A 2 yo colts & geldings 6 Furlongs Main
Sat, Dec 3 Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante (IL) $100,000 E 2 yo fillies 1 1/16 Miles Main
Sat, Dec 10 Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity (IL) $100,000 E 2 yo colts & geldings 1 1/16 Miles Main
NOTE: Information for this article supplied was by Jim Miller, Assistant General Manager, Hawthorne Race Course. Visit www.hawthorneracecourse.com for more information.