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Illinois Derby

{{Infobox horseraces

| class = Grade III

| horse race = Illinois Derby

| image =

| caption =

| location = Hawthorne Race Course
Stickney, Illinois, U.S.

| inaugurated = 1923

| race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing

| website = {{URL|http://www.hawthorneracecourse.com/}}

| distance = {{frac|1|1|8}} miles (9 furlongs)

| surface = Dirt

| track = Left-handed

| qualification = Three-year-olds

| weight = 122 lbs (55.3 kg)

| purse = $250,000 (2017)

| bonuses =

}}

The Illinois Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses for three-year-olds run over a distance of one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Illinois, just west of Chicago in early April each year. The event was first run in 1923 at the Hawthorne Race Course. The purse is $250,000.

History

The race was named in honor of the home state in which it was run, the state of Illinois. The inaugural running of the race took place at Hawthorne in 1923 and was won by In Memoriam, the 3-year-old champion with Zev that year. The race was then run at Sportsman's Park from 1924 through 1931. It moved to Aurora Downs racetrack in 1932 and was run there until 1938. In 1939 the race went on hiatus until through 1962. Then the race was revived at Sportsman's Park Racetrack again in 1963 where it remained through its 2002 running. The race was not run 1939-1962 and 1970–1971.

The race was first graded in 1973 when the grading system started as a grade three stakes race and in 1997 was elevated to a grade two stakes race. The inaugural running of the race in 1923 was run at {{frac|1|1|4}} miles.

Before 2000, the race was run between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes thus competing with the second leg of the Triple Crown for good runners. Beginning in 2001, the Illinois Derby was moved to four weeks before the Kentucky Derby and instantly became a major Triple Crown prep race.

The 2002 Illinois Derby won by War Emblem was the last Derby run at Sportsman's Park Racetrack. War Emblem went on to become a "Dual Classic Winner" by winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. War Emblem helped elevate the prestige of the Illinois Derby by displaying that a race winner could go on to even bigger glory.

In 2004 Pollard's Vision also helped increase the stature of the race when he won it. Pollard's Vision was a colt who was blind in his right eye, he was named in honor of Seabiscuit's jockey Red Pollard, who also lost sight in his right eye.

In 2006 Sweetnorthernsaint, the Illinois Derby winner that year, helped the stature of the race after recording the highest beyer speed figure of the year in the race and was installed as the morning line favorite in the Kentucky Derby. Sweetnorthernsait went on to become the Preakness Stakes runner-up to Bernardini in the race where Barbaro was fatally injured.

In 1997, at Sportsman's Park, Wild Rush set the record for the fastest time in the Illinois Derby at 1:47.51.

It had been a Grade II race with an offering of a purse of $500,000, however, it was reduced to a Grade III race for 2010 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.[http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54257/arkansas-derby-among-three-new-grade-i-stakes/ Two Fewer Graded Stakes in 2010] Since that time. For 2012, the purse has been reinstated to $500,000, but reduced to $400,000 in 2015.

Winners since 1968

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
style="width:30px" | Year

! style="width:110px" | Winner

! style="width:110px" | Jockey

! style="width:120px" | Trainer

! Owner

! style="width:25px" | Time

! style="width:35px" | Purse$

! style="width:25px" | Gr.

align=center| 2024

|Patriot Spirit

|Julio E. Felix

|Michael B. Campbell

|Mellon Patch, Inc.

|1:50.43

| align=center| $200,000

| align=center|

| align=center|

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2023

|align=center colspan=8 |Race not run

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2022

|align=center colspan=8 |Race not run

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2021

|align=center colspan=8| Race not run

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2020

|align=center colspan=8| Race not run

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2019

|align=center colspan=8| Race not run

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2018

|align=center colspan=8| Race not run

align=center|2017

| Multiplier

| James Graham

| Brendan P. Walsh

| American Equistock

| align=center|1:47.98

| align=center|$250,000

| align=center|III

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|2016

|align=center colspan=8| Race not run{{cite web|url=https://www.paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/hawthorne-illinois-derby-sixty-sails-likely-dropped-from-spring-schedule/ |title=Hawthorne: Illinois Derby, Sixty Sails Likely Dropped From Spring Schedule |date=25 February 2016|accessdate=21 April 2017|work=Paulick Report|author=Paulick Report Staff}}

align=center|2015

| Whiskey Ticket

| Martin A. Pedroza

| Bob Baffert

| Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram, Paul Weitman

| align=center|1:50.82

| align=center|$400,000

| align=center|III

align=center|2014

| Dynamic Impact

| Miguel Mena

| Mark E. Casse

| John C. Oxley

| align=center|1:49.07

| align=center|$750,000

| align=center|III

align=center|2013

| Departing

| Brian Hernandez Jr.

| Albert Stall Jr.

| Claiborne Farm

| align=center|1:50.78

| align=center|$750,000

| align=center|III

align=center|2012

| Done Talking

| Sheldon Russell

| Hamilton Smith

| Skeedattle Stable

| align=center|1:53.88

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|III

align=center|2011

| Joe Vann

| Florent Geroux

| Todd Pletcher

| Zayat Stable

| align=center|1:51.91

| align=center|$300,000

| align=center|III

align=center|2010

| American Lion

| David Flores

| Eoin G. Harty

| WinStar Farm

| align=center|1:51.31

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|III

align=center|2009

| Musket Man

| Eibar Coa

| Derek S. Ryan

| Eric Fein & Vic Carlson

| align=center|1:49.91

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2008

| Recapturetheglory

| E. T. Baird

| Louie J. Roussel III

| Louis J. Roussel III & Ronald Lamarque

| align=center|1:49.01

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2007

| Cowtown Cat

| Fernando Jara

| Todd A. Pletcher

| WinStar Farm

| align=center|1:51.21

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2006

| Sweetnorthernsaint

| Kent Desormeaux

| Michael Trombetta

| Joseph J. Balsamo & Ted Theos

| align=center|1:49.82

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2005

| Greeley's Galaxy

| Kent Desormeaux

| Glen Stute

| B. Wayne Hughes

| align=center|1:49.62

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2004

| Pollard's Vision

| Eibar Coa

| Todd A. Pletcher

| Edgewood Farm

| align=center|1:50.80

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2003

| Ten Most Wanted

| Pat Day

| Wallace Dollase

| James Chisholm, J. Paul Reddam, Michael Jarvis

| align=center|1:51.47

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2002

| War Emblem

| Larry Sterling Jr.

| Frank R. Springer

| Russell Reineman Stable

| align=center|1:49.42

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2001

| Distilled

| Mike E. Smith

| Todd A. Pletcher

| Dogwood Stable

| align=center|1:51.37

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|2000

| Performing Magic

| Shane Sellers

| Alex L. Hassinger Jr.

| The Thoroughbred Corp.

| align=center|1:50.86

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|1999

| Vision and Verse

| Herbert Castillo

| William I. Mott

| W. Bruce Lunsford

| align=center|1:48.47

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|1998

| Yarrow Brae

| Willie Martinez

| D. Wayne Lukas

| Michael Tabor & Susan Magnier

| align=center|1:51.21

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|1997

| Wild Rush

| Kent Desormeaux

| Richard Mandella

| Frank Stronach

| align=center|1:47.51

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|II

align=center|1996

| Natural Selection

| Randy Romero

| Mohamed Moubarak

| Buckram Oak Farm (Mahmoud Fustuq)

| align=center|1:48.60

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|III

align=center|1995

| Peaks and Valleys

| Julie Krone

| James E. Day

| Pin Oak Stable

| align=center|1:48.99

| align=center|$500,000

| align=center|III

align=center|1994

|Rustic Light

|Earlie Fires

|Robert Hale

|Phillip Brooks & Robert Hale

|align=center|1:51.89

|align=center|$500,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1993

|Antrim Rd.

|Aaron Gryder

|Glenn Wismer

|Alyce & Joseph Novogratz

|align=center|1:48.68

|align=center|$500,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1992

|Dignitas

|Jerry D. Bailey

|George R. Arnold II

|John Peace

|align=center|1:49.09

|align=center|$533,500

|align=center|III

align=center|1991

|Richman

|Jerry D. Bailey

|William I. Mott

|William F. Lucas

|align=center|1:49.36

|align=center|$530,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1990

|Dotsero

|Aaron Gryder

|Tim Muckler

|J. Malkin, B. Glazov, et al.

|align=center|1:50.60

|align=center|$315,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1989

|Music Merci

|Gary Stevens

Craig C. Lewis

|Harvey & Thea Cohen

|align=center|1:50.20

|align=center|$515,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1988

|Proper Reality

|Jerry D. Bailey

|Robert E. Holthus

|Mrs. James A. Winn

|align=center|1:50.20

|align=center|$535,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1987

|Lost Code

|Gene St. Leon

|L. William Donovan

|Wendover Stable

|align=center|1:49.60

|align=center|$313,550

|align=center|III

align=center|1986

|Bolshoi Boy

|Richard Migliore

|Howard M. Tesher

|Art Belford & John Greathouse

|align=center|1:52.20

|align=center|$315,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1985

|Important Business

|Juvenal L. Diaz

|LeRoy Jolley

|Ilene & Skip Taylor

|align=center|1:51.60

|align=center|$320,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1984

|Delta Trace

|Keith K. Allen

|Robert J. Frankel

|Ann & Jerry Moss

|align=center|1:51.80

|align=center|$210,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1983

|Gen'l Practitioner

|Jose A. Santiago

|Leo Sierra

|William Blair

|align=center|1:50.40

|align=center|$210,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1982

|Star Gallant

|Ray Sibille

|Lenny Imperio

|Mahmoud Fustuq

|align=center|1:52.60

|align=center|$210,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1981

|Paristo

|David Ashcroft

|George R. Handy

|Robert & Ruth Feinberg

|align=center|1:49.60

|align=center|$155,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1980

|Ray's Word

|Richard DePass

|Smiley Adams

|Not found

|align=center|1:52.00

|align=center|$155,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1979

|Smarten

|Sam Maple

|Woody Stephens

|Ryehill Farm (Jim & Eleanor Ryan)

|align=center|1:49.40

|align=center|$150,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1978

|Batonnier

|Ronald Hirdes Jr.

|Harry Trotsek

|Edward Seltzer

|align=center|1:51.60

|align=center|$105,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1977

|Flag Officer

|Leslie Ahrens

|George J. Getz

|Chuck Schmidt & Philip Teinowitz

|align=center|1:52.20

|align=center|$105,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1976

|Life's Hope

|Sandy Hawley

|Laz Barrera

|Harbor View Farm

|align=center|1:51.40

|align=center|$125,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1975

|Colonel Power

|Phil Rubbicco

|John O. Meaux

|Harvey Peltier Sr.

|align=center|1:50.20

|align=center|$105,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1974

|Sharp Gary

|Gerland Gallitano

|Joseph DiAngelo

|Edward R. Scharps

|align=center|1:50.00

|align=center|$105,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1973

|Big Whippendeal

|Larry Adams

|John Fulton

|Kinship Stables

|align=center|1:50.20

|align=center|$75,000

|align=center|III

align=center|1972

|Fame And Power

|Tony Rini

|John O. Meaux

|Harvey Peltier Sr.

|align=center|1:50.00

|align=center|$70,000

|

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|1971

|align=center colspan=7| Race not run

bgcolor="#eeeeee"

|align=center|1970

|align=center colspan=7| Race not run

align=center|1969

|King of the Castle

|Braulio Baeza

|Edward A. Neloy

|Ogden Phipps

|align=center|1:51.40

|align=center|$80,000

|

align=center|1968

|Bold Favorite

|Robert Nono

|Del W. Carroll

|Michael G. Phipps

|align=center|1:50.20

|align=center|$75,000

|

Earlier winners

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

  • 1967 - Royal Malabar
  • 1966 - Michigan Avenue
  • 1965 - Terra Hi (1st Div)
  • 1964 - Nushka
  • 1963 - Lemon Twist
  • 1939 - 1962 Race not run
  • 1938 - Gov. Chandler
  • 1937 - Case Ace
  • 1936 - Rushaway
  • 1935 - Sun Portland
  • 1934 - Mata Hari
  • 1933 - Sweeprush
  • 1923 - In Memoriam

{{div col end}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?search_bar=stakes&query_type=stakes&field=view&id=1417 The Illinois Derby at Pedigree Query]
  • [http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2009/December/03/American-Graded-Stakes-Committee-releases-2010-graded-stakes.aspx The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, 2010]

Category:1923 establishments in Illinois

Category:Horse races in Illinois

Category:Hawthorne Race Course

Category:Flat horse races for three-year-olds

Category:Triple Crown Prep Races

Category:Graded stakes races in the United States

Category:Horse races established in 1923