| Hawthorne Race Course |
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Hawthorne Race Course is a Thoroughbred racetrack in Cicero, Illinois outside of Chicago . HISTORY AND INFORMATION In 1890, Edward Corrigan, a Chicago businessman bought 119 acres of land in Cicero, Illinois and started constructing a grandstand for a new racecourse. The track opened in 1891 with a five-race card including the featured Chicago Derby. In 1902 the grandstand burned to the ground leading to racing at the Harlem racetrack also in Chicago. The track held a 12-day summer meet at its own facility later that year. In 1905, horse racing was banned in Chicago leading to the closure of Hawthorne. In 1909, the track was sold to Thomas Carey. He tried to reopen the track twice but was stopped by sherrifs and police. In 1916, the track ran a 13-day meeting which included the American Derby. That would be the last race until 1922. In 1922, the track reopened legally for a 13-day race meeting. In 1923, the meet expanded again now to 25-days. The Chicago Business Men's Racing Association took over racing operations in 1924 and ran a 52-day meet in the fall. This same year a new clubhouse is constructed at Hawthorne and a form of parimutuel wagering is introduced. By 1927, the racetrack was gaining prominence on the national scene. A new starting was introduced as was the Hawthorne Gold Cup, a major stakes event. In 1929 Sun Beau won his first Gold Cup. He would later capture two more. In 1931, an electric time is introduced as is an infield tote board. The track introduced Daily Double wagering to Chicago and used a new infra-red timer in the early 1930's. In 1936, the track began the Chicago racing season with a spring meet. The track continued to advance in the 1930's and 1940's. The track took over Lincoln Fields' dates and raced earlier in the spring. The track also introduced races restricted to Illinois-bred horses. Turf racing returned to Hawthorne in 1948 with the renovation of the racing strip and the introduction of a six-furlong turf course. In 1959, a new clubhouse was opened with vastly expanded seating to serve the racing needs of the Chicago market. The tarck continued to thrive during the 1960's and 1970's but it had crested in attendance and the attendance slowly began to drop. By 1970, harness racing was held at Hawthorne in an effort to offer a product to lovers of standardbred racing. The track was awarded spring dates and ran a spring, summer and autumn thoroughbred meet and a winter standardbred meet. The track stopped in September for the Arlington Park meet. The track also began to hold occasional Quarter Horse races. In 1978 a fire destroyed Hawthorne's grandstand. The attempt to move the meet to Sportsman's Park fails for 1978. In 1979 the racing is moved to Sportman's Park. In 1980 the track officially opens for a 72-day thoroughbred meet begin at the end of September. In 1985, Arlington Park burned to the ground and Hawthorne Race Course gained all summer dates except Arlington Million day. In 1986, 1987 and 1988 the track also held these summertime meetings. The track continues to do well having a very good 1990's. The track though now is second tier to Arlington Park, the premier thoroughbred track in Chicago. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES The track has a one mile dirt oval and a seven furlong turf oval. RACING The track runs the following graded stakes:
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