HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE TO KICK-OFF “EPIC” SEASON WITH 22 NIGHTS OF TWILIGHT SPRING RACING

By Jim Miller —-

Hawthorne Spring Thoroughbred Meet Opens Friday
-Return of Illinois Derby, New Post Time to add exposure

March 3 & 4 Opening Weekend Highlights Include
Opening of New Beginner’s Luck Lounge, Live Music, Chili Cook-Off to Benefit Firefighter’s Families, Trip for Two Giveaway to Country Music Festival in Austin, and More

STICKNEY, IL – The spring thoroughbred meet at Hawthorne opens on Friday, March 3 with a nine race card. Entries filled nicely for the opening two days of the spring season, which will race on Friday and Saturday in the month of March. In April, Thursday racing will be added.

A mild winter and the availability of the track for training has led to an increase in horse population on the backstretch at Hawthorne. With training uninterrupted by weather during the winter dark period, many of those horses stables on the grounds are ready to race. The favorable weather has also allowed for the turf course to begin growing much earlier in the year, with a full month of turf racing expected this meet

The opening day card drew 91 entries, with 88 within the body of the fields while Saturday’s nine race card had 74 horses entered An influx of entries throughout the meet will come from Illinois horsemen stabled at Fairmount as the mild winter has allowed many horses to get race ready.

New to Hawthorne this meet is a 4:10 PM first post daily. With many tracks racing on the East Coast early in the afternoon, the later post time will allow for increased exposure of the Hawthorne signal to bettors, along with broadcast partner TVG and TVG2.

Returning to Hawthorne this spring will be the 59th running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Illinois Derby. After a year hiatus to solidify the purse account for overnights, the Illinois Derby will be contested on Saturday, April 22. Early nominations closed on February 22 with 65 horses nominated. Late nominations close on Friday, April 7. Early nominations are posted on the Hawthorne website under the Horsemen tab.

Joining the Illinois Derby on April 22 will be a pair of Illinois-bred stakes. Both will be contested at 6 ½ furlongs; the Robert S. Molaro Handicap for three-year-olds and up and the Third Chance Handicap for fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up will take place.

In the facility at Hawthorne, some major changes on the first floor are being added as well. The new Tito’s Stable Bar is nearing completion centrally on the first floor. Over 70 new flat screen televisions will be put in place along with new seating for players to enjoy the races along with a meal. On the east end of the grandstand, our new Beginner’s Luck Lounge will be opening. A taco bar, craft beer, and margaritas will be available every racing night. Live music will add to your enjoyment.

“The spring meet is always an exciting time at Hawthorne Race Course,” said President and General Manager of Hawthorne Race Course Tim Carey. “But this opening weekend will be epic, whether you are a veteran racing fan or this is your first time to Hawthorne Race Course. We have something for everyone, our new Beginner’s Luck Lounge, a trip giveaway to the iHeartRadio Country Festival, a chili cook off to raise money for Chicago Fire Department families, and a chance to win free wagers.”

• Grand opening of the newly renovated Tito’s Stable Bar featuring two-tiered TV display and reserved seating and private booths with TVs for personal viewing.

• The new Beginner’s Luck Lounge in a relaxed setting that a Hawthorne Race Course newcomer can enjoy featuring live music on Saturdays and a taco bar, beer, and margarita stand.

• Guests will have a chance to win an iHeartRadio Country Festival Trip Giveaway to the 2017 #iHeartCountry Festival in Austin, TX on Saturday, May 6, valued at $3,000includes round-trip airfare for two, two-night stay at a hotel, and two tickets to the event. Featured festival performers include; Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, and Rascal Flatts.

• Hawthorne Race Course will team up with Ignite the Spiritcharity which benefits all Chicago Fire Department families in need for a chili-cook off in their honor. For a $5 donation guests will sample chili and vote on their favorite. All proceeds will go to the charity.

WHEN:
Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4
4:10 PM Post Time

Friday, March 3:
• “Fan-Friendly Friday” includes retro beers for $3 (Hamms, Old Style, Pabst Blue Ribbon, & Miller High Life)
• Newly Renovated Tito’s Stable Bar Grand Opening
• $2 admission and live racing program

Saturday, March 4:
• Ignite the Spirit Chili Cook-Off from 4:15 – 6:15 PM
• Chance to win #iHeartCountry Festival Trip Giveaway
• Live music by Chicago’s SunFallen a folk, rock, country band
• Chance to win free wagers and Club Hawthorne points with over 1,000 pop up prizes

WHERE:
Hawthorne Race Course is located at 3501 S. Laramie in Stickney, IL
½ mile north of I-55 on Cicero Avenue.
General admission is $2.

SPRING THOROUGHBRED MEET:
Thoroughbred racing continues with nine races per night on Friday and Saturday evenings in March and Thursday through Saturday evenings in April.Hawthorne Race Course will be hosting the 59th Illinois Derby presented by Xpressbet on April 22. For complete racing schedule: http://hawthorneracecourse.com/.

Month-long features include:
• Fridays – $2 admission and live racing program
• Saturdays – Live music by local Chicagoland artists and taco bar, beer and margarita stand

Hawthorne Race Course is located at 3501 S. Laramie Ave. in Stickney, Illinois. During the spring meet, 22 twilight racing cards will take place. From May through September, the summer harness racing season will be conducted. Thoroughbreds return again in October and race through the end of the calendar year. For information on racing at Hawthorne, visit our website at www.HawthorneRaceCourse.com or call 708-780-3700.