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Illinois Derby
Stakes - For
Thoroughbred Three Year Old 1 1/8 Miles (9 furlongs)
Race type: Thoroughbred -
Flat racing
Purse: $500,000 US
Location: Hawthorne Race Course
- Stickney/Cicero, Illinois USA
Inaugurated: 1923
Track: Dirt, Right-handed
Weight: 122 lbs (55.3 kg)
Website: Hawthorne
Race Course
The Illinois Derby was first run in 1923 at Hawthorne
race track. After being run at Aurora in 1938, it
was discontinued and was only revived at Sportsman's
Park in 1963.
Apparently, horse racing handicappers convinced
Bill Johnston, the late Sportsman's Park president,
into resurrecting the 1 1/8-mile race.
"Good idea, Dave," Johnston said when
I first suggested it in 1960. But his racing secretary,
the late Robert P. McAuliffe, said, "Feldman
is crazy. This race won't draw flies at 1 1/8 miles."
The purse, at that time, was only $25,000, but a
full field competed, and Lemon Twist won it before
a packed house.
The Illinois Derby was such a success that owners
and trainers started to ship horses from everywhere.
The race has grown to be one of the richest for
3-year-olds. |
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