Hawthorne Racecourse (12/31/11)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Final day of fall Thoroughbred meet at Hawthorne
This is it, the final day of racing for the fall Thoroughbred meet at Hawthorne. We have done extremely well with field size and today we go out with a bang as we have a 12-race card with 129 horses remaining in the body of the races following scratches. Our track crew did a tremendous job on the racing surface as well, working the track through the night and being helped by excellent weather today. For races, we will have a fast main track for a great wagering card. A reminder, all wagers today will have mandatory payouts and we have added a mid-card Pick 4 as well.
Today we will officially crown our leaders for jockey, trainer and owner. It has been the meet of the team of Roger Brueggemann, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc. and jockey Florent Geroux. Teaming up for a massive amount of victories on the meet, they have all taken titles, with this being the first for Florent Geroux.
This meet saw the return to the saddle of jockey Inez Karlsson as she was away for nearly 15 months as she began her second career, a more important one, as a Mother. After having her daughter Sophia in July, Inez actually began the season on air with me picking horses. Who would have known that she would end the meet winning on horses, some I have picked, others I didn’t.
The meet also saw the return to Chicago of jockey Francisco Torres. The extremely talented rider had been away from Chicago for years but came back in fine fashion. Cisco got off to a very slow start but in the final month has seemed to win multiple races every day. Look for him to be a force when spring racing returns.
We also saw the unexpected end to the riding career of young Tanner Riggs. The soft spoken Riggs always gave his best and was a pleasure to be around. His constant battle with weight was one he fought without complaint as he ran many miles around the track or on the treadmill to reduce weight as he was unable to sit in the hot box. He won over 700 races in his short career and we hope to see him back for a visit.
I thank you for all of your support this fall as we look to close out on a big note. I hope to see you back when live racing returns to Hawthorne on Friday, February 17.
Changes
Main Track – Fast
Race 2
Scratch #1 – Take Some Advice
Scratch #9 – Casha
Scratch #10 – Most Distinct
Race 4
Scratch #13 – Jesuit Warrior
Scratch #14 – Redbone
Race 6
Scratch #1 – Thirty Winks
Race 7
Scratch #9 – Grand Row
Scratch #14 – Goldfinder
Race 8
Scratch #3 – Mike’s Gust O
Race 9
Scratch #2 – Mercedes Class
Scratch #14 – Prideinyoureyes
Race 10
Scratch #2 – No More Honey
Race 12
Scratch #1a – Ballygawley
Scratch #11 – Boss Girl
