Hawthorne Racecourse (3/30/12)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Illinois Derby sneak peak
We are just over one week away from the 55th running of the Grade III $500,000 TVG Illinois Derby and the field is beginning the shape up. There is quite a bit of interest in the race and the possibility of a full starting gate of 14 does exist as many three-year-old runners are looking for those precious spots in the starting gate. Currently we have these 8 confirmed as coming for the Derby while there are another 10-12 still under consideration for the race. It may come down to those non-restricted earnings for the final runners who will get the opportunity to start next Saturday. Here’s who is currently pointing for the TVG Illinois Derby:
(In Alphabetical order)
Horse Trainer
Currency Swap Teresa Pompay
Morgan’s Guerrilla Mike Maker
Our Entourage Todd Pletcher
Pretension Christopher Grove
Romancing the Gold Jeremiah Englehart
Saturday Launch Ken McPeek
Slamit Tim Ice
Trinniberg Bisnath Parboo
The field for the TVG Illinois Derby will be drawn next Wednesday and the race will go as race 9 of 10 on Saturday, April 7 with a post time of 5:45 PM. The entire racing day will be carried live on TVG as Mike Joyce will be on-site to cover all of the day’s festivities. Also, WGN Chicago will have a one hour show covering both the Illinois Derby and the $60,000 Added Cryptoclearance Stakes.
As we conclude the second month of the spring meet, we still have races for leading rider and trainer that are being contested. For the jocks, Francisco Torres has emerged the leader as he has been hot in recent weeks. Currently Torres has 22 wins on the meet, following by Constantino Roman with 18, Tim Thornton with 16, Florent Geroux with 15 and a three way tie at 14 winners between Quincy Hamilton, Inez Karlsson and Alejandro Contreras.
For the race for leading trainer, Roger Brueggemann stands atop at 24 wins on the meet from 80 starts while his runners are hitting the board at a 61% clip. Frank Kirby continues his fine meet with 16 wins, followed by Chris Dorris, who is winning at a 25% rate with 14 wins from his first 57 starters.
For owner, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc. currently leads with 15 wins and 15 seconds from 54 starters on the meet. Second is Hondo Ranch of Frank Kirby at 6 wins, followed by Eagle Valley Farm of trainer John Haran at 5 wins.
A reminder, tomorrow is another of our pool parties at Hawthorne as Joe Kristufek of HorseplayerNow.com will on site to host the pool party. For just $20, fans will receive two hours of food and drink along with joining in on Joe’s wagers. Any money that Joe makes is returned to the fans and a big day by Joe may mean that the fans could eat and drink for free! For details, or to sign up, visit guest services on the first floor of the grandstand.
Today’s Early Changes
Main Track – Fast
Race 1
Scratch #5 – Friskaway
Race 5
Scratch #3 – Cowboy Jones
Scratch #7 – Alpha Guy
Race 7
Scratch #4 – Get Some Action
Scratch #5 – Bobbie N Her Girls
Race 8
Scratch #1 – Wild Penny
Race 9
Scratch #1 - Oldhamburg
