Hawthorne Racecourse (9/28/10)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3671
Hawthorne Ready for Opening Day
Stickney, IL (September 28, 2010) – Hawthorne Race Course continues the second leg of its 101st year of family-ownership with more ways to win as Illinois Thoroughbred racing returns to a real dirt track on Friday, October 1. The 74th running of the Grade II $250,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup will headline opening weekend on Saturday, October 2, with first post at 1:35 pm.
“This is championship season for Thoroughbred racing across the nation and Hawthorne's fall meet is a part of that as a great local sports tradition,” said Tim Carey, President and General Manager of Hawthorne. "I think that now more than ever sports fans and gamblers are looking for cost-effective entertainment options as the economy continues to recover. Our fans can enjoy a whole day of up-close, action-packed sports entertainment for a $4 admission."
The historic Hawthorne Gold Cup, a milestone for older horses prepping for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, will go off at approximately 5:25 pm. Hawthorne’s homestretch – the second longest in the nation with a traditional dirt surface – is a vital proving ground for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“I believe we will have a tremendous meet this fall,” stated Hawthorne Assistant General Manager Jim Miller. “The backstretch is full and our strong opening day entries should be a sign of what we will see for the entire meet. The Gold Cup looks to provide another top-notch field and will look to again send a horse or two towards the Breeders’ Cup.” The Gold Cup will be contested at the distance of 1 ¼ miles on Hawthorne’s dirt track. Entries for the race will be taken on Wednesday, September 29.
Hawthorne will kick off the Fall Meet with a unique, “Super Bet Sweepstakes,” a chance to win a FREE $5,000 Bet on the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The social media sweepstakes will run from October 1 through October 30 and will be orchestrated through Facebook and Twitter. The winner will get $5,000 that he/she must wager on the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Hawthorne Race Course during a party on one of the biggest race days of the year. A $5,000 win bet made on last year's Classic winner would have paid $19,000.
“In addition to our nation-leading player rewards program that offers up to 4 percent cash back, Club Hawthorne Members will be able to earn additional entries to The Super Bet Sweepstakes when they use their member's card to bet the featured Hawthorne race of the day, which means someone will have the chance to make a lot of cash,” said Carey.
Eligible contestants should enter the sweepstakes by visiting Hawthorne’s Facebook page: facebook.com/clubhawthorne or on Twitter: @ClubHawthorne. Prize also includes free admission, race program, and food and beverage in a designated sweepstakes party area at Hawthorne Race Course for up to 10 people.
ABOUT HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE
Hawthorne Race Course is in its 101st year of racing under Carey family ownership. Hawthorne offers the only traditional dirt track thoroughbred racing in northern Illinois. Live racing action runs Wednesday through Saturday through December 31. Daily post time is 1:35 PM, with a late post on Fridays thru November 19th at 2:35PM. Club Hawthorne membership is FREE and available at Guest Services at Hawthorne Race Course. For more information visit www.HawthorneRaceCourse.com or call Guest Services at 708-780-3733.
