Hawthorne Racecourse (12/3/11)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante, Pool Party at Hawthorne
I was so hoping to have turf racing in December, but some overnight rain and more expected this morning was enough to rain the races off the turf today. I guess we will have to be happy with getting to November 30 this year.
Today we have a fine card with all 9 races on the main track, highlighted by the running of the Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante. The Whitworth goes as the 7th on the card with a field of 7. This is a tough race as many two year olds have yet to win at the distance. One that has won at the distance is Our Domain of trainer Scott Becker. After near misses while sprinting, she broke her maiden in her last out, winning in a game effort.
Breaking next to her is Showtime Deb winner Class Break for Wayne Catalano. Her late closing move was enough to get up for that win, but the added distance will be the question for her today. Another that poses a strong threat is Carlos Silva’s Diva’s Diamond. Still a maiden, Diva’s Diamond has run a pair of big races around two turns, each time breaking from the outside post. Today she draws the two hole and should be a major player.
Looking at the rider standings, things are tightening up atop the leaderboard as Florent Geroux still holds the lead, but only by 4 wins over Constantino Roman. While Geroux has remained consistent, Roman has been on fire, and will make a big run at the title. Another riding very well of late is Julio Felix, as he has climbed to third in the standings with 36 wins on the meet.
Today we have one of the greatest deals for bettors as we will have another of our Pool Parties at Hawthorne. For just $20, fans get food and drink for two hours on the first floor of our grandstand by our main stage area. After that, fans will follow along as Joe Kristufek will place $500 in wagers. Any return from Joe’s wagers means a return to the players as those earnings are divided up amongst everyone who gets in. A couple of weeks ago, fans got to eat, drink and have fun for what amounted to $1.45 after the wagers hit big.
Today, Joe Kristufek of HorseplayerNow.com will be conducting the Pool Party. In addition, Joe will also be hosting an online chat to cover the races, while providing input and selections. Joe, and the entire HorseplayerNow.com team are leaders in the industry in Fan Education, and Joe has been asked to be a panelist during the University of Arizona Symposium of Racing and Gaming as he covers the importance of Fan Education.
A few changes today, mainly from the two turf events, but with rains expected to move out of the area, the main track is listed as “Good” for the nine race card:
Changes
Main Track – Good
Race 1
Scratch #4 – Webster
Race 2 – Off Turf – 1 Mile 70 yards main track
Scratch #5 – Hello Jake
Scratch #8 – Proud Osceola
Race 5 – Off turf – 5 ½ furlongs main track
Scratch #1 – Stig’s Deputy
Scratch #5 – Here Comes Henry
Scratch #7 – Dehanger
Scratch #8 – Dominant Suh
Race 9
Scratch #2 – Gotcha Cart
Scratch #11 - Lumpsinmyoatmeal
