Hawthorne Racecourse (3/6/12)
Diana Dionisio, 773-883-3412, ddionisio@tribune.com
Dakota Shultz, 312-371-4104, dakota@agencythreesixty.com
FOR FIRST TIME EVER, WGN-TV TO AIR ILLINOIS DERBY AT HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE
CHICAGO – March 5, 2012 -- WGN-TV Chicago will provide live coverage of the 55th running of the Illinois Derby from Hawthorne Race Course on Saturday, April 7 from 5:00-6:00 pm. “WGN Sports is excited to have Hawthorne Race Course as a new partner,” said Marty Wilke, WGN-TV vice president and general manager. “The Illinois Derby is one of Chicago’s Very Own historic sporting events and we look forward to showcasing this great race.”
Hosted by WGN Sports’ Dan Roan, coverage will feature the race as well as expert guests from Hawthorne Race Course. “I firmly believe that horse racing is having a resurgence in the general market and that a powerhouse station like WGN getting behind Illinois' most important race is further evidence of that," said Tim Carey, president and general manager of Hawthorne Race Course. "The Kentucky Derby had its largest attendance ever last year and our Illinois Derby is the only area prep race for the most famous horserace in the world. We've sent a dozen contenders to Kentucky in the last 10 years so if you want to see one of this year's Kentucky Derby horses live, you have to come to Hawthorne or tune into WGN-TV."
WGN-TV is Chicago’s CW network affiliate, programming a strong schedule of news, sports and entertainment, with most WGN Sports telecasts, WGN News and CW programs in high definition on WGN 9.1. WGN-TV programs more news than any other Chicago TV station for WGN-TV and cable news channel CLTV in Chicago; Rockford, IL; and South Bend, IN. WGN 9.2 is Chicago’s home of Tribune Broadcasting’s classic TV network, Antenna TV. WGN also programs for WGN America on cable, telco and satellite throughout the U.S. WGN-TV is a Tribune Broadcasting station. For additional information on Chicago’s Very Own WGN-TV, go to WGNtv.com.
Hawthorne Race Course is in its 121st year of racing as Chicago’s “hometown track,” offering the only traditional dirt track Thoroughbred racing in northern Illinois. Live racing action runs four-days-a-week every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through April 29th, with a daily post time of 1:40 pm. For more information, visit HawthorneRaceCourse.com or call Guest Services at 708-780-3733. Fans are welcome at Facebook.com/ClubHawthorne and to become followers for up-to-the-minute racing tips at Twitter.com/ClubHawthorne.
