Voodoo Song Leads Talented Field in Return of Hawthorne Derby

STICKNEY, IL – After a year hiatus, the $100,000 Hawthorne Derby returns to Hawthorne on Saturday with the 51st running of the race. To be contested at 1 1/8 miles on the Hawthorne turf course, the Hawthorne Derby will go as race six on a nine race Saturday card with an 11 horse field.

Leading the field in the Hawthorne Derby is Voodoo Song for owner Barry Schwartz and trainer Linda Rice. The talented colt has really woken up with the move to the turf course at Saratoga in July. After a win on July 22 against $40,000 claimers, Voodoo Song was back just four days later to defeat state-bred allowance company on the grass. Victorious in that race, he would win again against New York-breds on August 23. With another quick return to the races, Voodoo Song battled to a game score in the Grade 3 Saranac on September 2. His most recent effort was a near miss in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Derby at Laurel on September 30. Edgar Perez will be aboard the 9-5 morning line favorite on Saturday.

Second choice in the Hawthorne Derby is Adonis Creed from the barn of trainer Brad Cox. Owned by Zilla Racing Stables, Adonis Creed has raced with mixed results on the year. After a sixth-place effort in the Grade 3 Palm Beach in March, Adonis Creed was an allowance winner on the turf at Keeneland on April 8. That victory led to a string of six consecutive stakes races which included a third-place run in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes at Delaware on July 15 and a pair of second-place finishes in the Stanton Stakes at Delaware and most recently in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill. Shaun Bridgmohan comes in to ride Adonis Creed as he is the 9-2 second choice in the morning line.

Trainer Joe Sharp has Phat Man entered in the Hawthorne Derby for owners Brad and Misty Grady. After a maiden score at Fair Grounds to open the year, Phat Man tried stakes-company in his next two starts, missing the board in both. After a nice string of four starter races where he finished no worse than second, Phat Man got his first stakes win in the Long Branch Stakes at Monmouth on July 8. He would go on to finish sixth in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby in his next start before running second most recently in the Super Derby on the turf at Louisiana Downs. Chris Emigh gets the call aboard Phat Man on Saturday.

Three Diamonds Farm’s Bronson is entered in the Derby for trainer Mike Maker and jockey Tyler Gaffalione. After a victory against optional claiming allowance company at Gulfstream on the turf to open the year, Bronson has made six straight stakes starts. After a close-up fifth in the Grade 3 Spiral at Turfway in March, Bronson was the winner of the English Channel Stakes at Gulfstream on May 6. He would go on to finish second in the Not Surprising Stakes at Gulfstream on July 4, followed by a third-place run in the Dueling Grounds Derby on September 10. Most recently, Bronson finished fourth in the Jefferson Cup at Churchill on September 30.

The field for the $100,000 Hawthorne Derby:

PP Horse Jockey Trainer M/L

1 Imposing Will J. Lopez M. Boyce 20-1
2 High On Sugar A. Nunez L. Slager 30-1
3 Voodoo Song E. Perez L. Rice 9-5
4 Phat Man C. Emigh J. Sharp 6-1
5 Thirsty Actor C. Hill W. Catalano 15-1
6 Adonis Creed S. Bridgmohan B. Cox 9-2
7 Blue Sky Kowboy J. Felix M. Boyce 12-1
8 All Right D. Sarvis K. Gorder 15-1
9 Bronson T. Gaffalione M. Maker 5-1
10 My Bariley S. Sanjur A. Granitz 10-1
11 Red Corvette C.H. Marquez G. Scherer 30-1

ABOUT HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE
Founded in 1891, Hawthorne Race Course is the 4th oldest racetrack in the nation and the oldest sporting venue in Illinois. Located in Stickney, Illinois on the edge of Chicago’s city limits, the 126 year old facility hosts thoroughbred racing in March and April and again in October through Dec. Standardbred harness racing is conducted in May through September. The family-owned and operated business has been an innovator in horseracing for more than 100 years and features the nation’s most rewarding players program. For additional information: www.HawthorneRaceCourse.com | Facebook.com/ClubHawthorne | @ClubHawthorne.