One of Illinois' Best Horse Racing Bets!

Hawthorne racecourse is a 119-acre horse racing track located in Stickney / Cicero, Illinois, near Chicago. Hawthorne racecourse is one of the most famous horse tracks in the state of Illinois.

Hawthorne racecourse hosts thoroughbred racing in the Spring and Fall and harness racing in the Summer.

Among the major stakes events held at Hawthorne racecourse are:

• Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap - Grade II
• Illinois Derby - Grade II
• Hawthorne Derby - Grade III
• National Jockey Club Handicap - Grade III
• Robert F. Carey Memorial Handicap - Grade III
• Sixty Sails Handicap - Grade III

Hawthorne racecourse Description

• Hawthorne racecourse boasts of a one mile Dirt track and a seven furlong Turf track. The length of the stretch on the Dirt track is 1,320 feet while the width of the stretch measures 75 feet.

• Hawthorne racecourse has a capacity of 35,000 people.

• It has 17 barns.

Hawthorne racecourse History

• In 1890, Chicago businessman Edward Corrigan acquired 119 acres of land in Cicero, Illinois and commenced construction of a racecourse grandstand.

• In 1891, Hawthorne racecourse opened with a five-race card including the featured Chicago Derby.

• In 1902, Hawthorne racecourse's grandstand burned to the ground. The re-opened track held a 12-day summer meet at its own facility later that year.

• In 1905, Hawthorne racecourse was closed due to the banning of horse racing in Chicago.

• In 1909, the track was sold to Thomas Carey.

• In 1916, Hawthorne racecourse ran a 13-day meeting which included the American Derby.

• In 1922, the track re-opened legally for a 13-day race meeting.

• In 1924, the Chicago Business Men's Racing Association took over operations at Hawthorne racecourse.

• By 1927, the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap was introduced.

• In 1931, an electric time was introduced as was an infield tote board.

• In 1936, Hawthorne racecourse began the Chicago racing season with a spring meet.

• In 1948, turf racing was back at Hawthorne racecourse.

• In 1959, a new clubhouse was opened.

• By 1970, harness racing was introduced at Hawthorne racecourse.

• In 1978, a fire destroyed Hawthorne racecourse's grandstand.

• In 1980, Hawthorne racecourse officially opened for a 72-day thoroughbred meet begin at the end of September.

• In 1985, Arlington Park burned to the ground and Hawthorne racecourse gained all summer dates.

• In 1992, Hawthorne racecourse's daily average handle exceeded $2 million.

• In 1998, Hawthorne racecourse's racing schedule was reduced to five days per week.