The 2005 Chicago thoroughbred season will leave the starting gate Friday at Hawthorne Race Course.
Under the auspices of the National Jockey Club–which formerly operated next door at Sportsman’s Park–racing will continue five afternoons per week through May 10. Wednesday and Thursday are dark days.
The main events:
April 9: The Grade II $500,000 Illinois Derby is the Chicago circuit’s prep for the Kentucky Derby. A pair of $125,000-added sprint races for 3-year-olds will serve as warmup acts: the Lost Code Breeders’ Cup for males and the Meafara Breeders’ Cup Stakes for fillies.
April 23: The National Jockey Club Handicap and the Sixty Sails Handicap for fillies and mares are two of the Chicago circuit’s top races for older horses, and for the first time these Grade III, $250,000 races will be contested on the same day.
April 30: State-breds will step into the spotlight on Illinois Day, competing in six $100,000-added races.
