Hawthorne Racecourse (4/28/12)
Contact: Jim Miller
(708) 780-3700
Illinois Champions Day at Hawthorne
Illinois Champions Day takes place today at Hawthorne as we had some overnight rain but fortunately it passed through quickly and the winds have picked up. It is chilly outside with a tailwind in the stretch but we have a fast main track and a turf course listed as good for the 10 race card.
On Friday, jockey Francisco Torres had one of the best days a rider has had at Hawthorne as he won six races on the card and was in with a shot in the other 3. The day got off to a rough start for Torres as he looked to be full of run aboard A Brush of Beauty. A few times it looked as if he had the hole to go through, but a weaving Anyoneshome in front of him kept shutting him off at the wrong time as he never got clear, finishing 4th. After that, Torres won races 2-5, capping an all Cisco Pick 4 which returned $652. Following a good second aboard Afleet Paddy in the 6th, Torres came back to win the 7th and 8th, with the 8th coming aboard 11-1 shot Brooke’s Journey in a big upset. In the 9th, Torres had position on the grass but had to alter course around Golden Gift late, finishing third in the race. Still a very solid day as he tied Chris Emigh and Tanner Riggs for 6 wins days and nearly equaled Johnny Heckman’s record of 7.
Today we have our Illinois Champions Day at Hawthorne with six $125,000 added stakes events for a card that has come up very strong. There will not be many heavy favorites and this day often produces some upsets. Every race is competitive and the two older male races to cap off the day are excellent wagering events.
We only have today and tomorrow for live racing before we close for the summer but Hawthorne will remain open for full card simulcasting all summer long as we will simulcast the three Triple Crown events and all of the great racing action from Arlington, Del Mar and Saratoga amongst others through the summer. For those coming out on Sunday, we will have a special $12.95 buffet in the Gold Cup Dining Room as we have a 9-race card and will be honoring the memory of Eddie Razo, Jr. First post each day is 1:40 pm. Not too many scratches for the Champions Day card today.
Early Changes
Main Track - Fast
Turf - Good
Race 1
Scratch #1 – Travelin Home
Scratch #3 – Mob Boss
Race 2
Scratch #3 – Senorita Catrina
Race 9
Scratch #10 – Costilla Range
Race 10
Scratch #8 – Crook’s Bodgit
