Hawthorne Racecourse (3/3/12)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Despite weather, fast track at Hawthorne
Today is one of those days where the hard work of the track crew really pays off. Hawthorne is a track that does not use salt when freezing conditions exist, it is just time and effort. Yesterday we had a good amount of rain during the day which turned the track from fast to sloppy in a matter of two races. With freezing conditions approaching, we rushed through the final 4 races and got the track crew started. The crew worked for hours, floating water out of the track and then attached the harrows and began the drying out process. The result, a fast main track for training this morning and for our nine-race card.
The handle numbers have been strong to open the season too. I was happy to hear of strong results from the Illinois harness industry early this season and the results at Hawthorne have been strong thus far as well. Through the first 8 days of racing, average total handle has been $2,154,520. That is a marked increase over the average of $1,946,490 per day for the first 8 days last spring. Here’s hoping the weather holds out for the remainder of the spring and we continue to have a great meet.
Today we have a couple of things going on at Hawthorne as we have our Road to the Derby Contest and an NTRA qualifier. For details or to sign up for either of the contests please visit Guest Services on the first floor of the grandstand. Additionally we have one of our pool parties on the first floor of the grandstand as radio personality Roe Conn will be our host today. Sign up for the pool party is at Guest Services as for just $20 fans will receive food and drink for two hours along with sharing in any winnings from Roe’s bets.
Good luck to all who remain in Survivor and good luck to those in the NTRA contest today. Here are our early changes:
Today’s Early Scratches
Main Track – Fast
Race 2
Scratch #4 – Esla Mambo
Race 4
Scratch #4 – My Silverdiva
Scratch #8 – Daisy Again
Race 8
Scratch #3 – Seeking the Coach
