Illinois Derby: Road to the Black-Eyed Susans?

by Paulick Report Staff | 01.30.2013 | 7:48am

The Illinois Racing Board on Tuesday approved a purse increase for this year’s edition of the G3 Illinois Derby, which will also have a new spot on the racing calendar.

Normally a fixture in early April, Hawthorne’s race will now be run April 20, just two weeks before the G1 Kentucky Derby, but still four weeks from the G1 Preakness Stakes. The purse will also get a sizable increase, from $500,000 to $750,000. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, Hawthorne officials indicated that both changes were in response to the decision by Churchill Downs to exclude the Illinois Derby from its list of races offering qualifying points for entry into the Kentucky Derby.

“We felt it was imperative that we do something,” said Hawthorne President Tim Carey. “We feel horses that might not have made the cut for the (Kentucky) Derby could be looking forward to the Preakness (gr. I) or Belmont (gr. I).”

“Because of the position we’ve been put in it we’ve had to move it (from the first Saturday in April),” Carey continued. “We’re going to brand it as Chicago’s race and we’re looking to get sponsorship so we can increase the purse even more.”

» Read more at Chicago Tribune

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tfly

Good for them, and shame on Churchill for their classless move. Ch has cheapened the Derby, and their organization even further.
tfly

Good for them, and shame on Churchill for their classless move. Ch has cheapened the Derby, and their organization even further.
THE KEYMASTER

Good for Hawthorne! Down with CD!!!
THE KEYMASTER

Good for Hawthorne! Down with CD!!!
Hadrianmarcus

I wish the good people at Hawthorne the best and hope the Illinois Derby does become the logical prep for the Preakness. As for CDI, perhaps they should spend more time improving their product at Arlington Park and Churchill rather than trying to stick it to Hawthorne over race dates and leaving the Illinois out of the Derby prep qualifiers. Remember CDI, what goes around, comes around…
Hadrianmarcus

I wish the good people at Hawthorne the best and hope the Illinois Derby does become the logical prep for the Preakness. As for CDI, perhaps they should spend more time improving their product at Arlington Park and Churchill rather than trying to stick it to Hawthorne over race dates and leaving the Illinois out of the Derby prep qualifiers. Remember CDI, what goes around, comes around…
James Staples

The ky derby clowns (cdi) have shot their self in the foot & it TICKLES the HELL outta me!!!…Frank Stronach (MJC) & the NYRA should get their act together along with other tracks in the Mid-Atlantic/North East (tracks like Hawthorne included) they could start their own Triple Crown!!!…One a Horse might be able to WIN once in a while…The TC in its present form has gotten like “THE GAME” itself…WORN OUT…Time for it to step out of that BOX!!!…This would be a GREAT START!!!…ty…
James Staples

The ky derby clowns (cdi) have shot their self in the foot & it TICKLES the HELL outta me!!!…Frank Stronach (MJC) & the NYRA should get their act together along with other tracks in the Mid-Atlantic/North East (tracks like Hawthorne included) they could start their own Triple Crown!!!…One a Horse might be able to WIN once in a while…The TC in its present form has gotten like “THE GAME” itself…WORN OUT…Time for it to step out of that BOX!!!…This would be a GREAT START!!!…ty…
Figless

Nice counter programming, might even steal a couple of longshots out of the Derby if their connections are wise. Big IF, of course, but if you have a horse that’s qualifies but is going to be 40-1 why not run here and prep for the Preakness, especially if a speedy type.

I for one will make a point of wagering on this race in support.
- Rachel
  
  That’s a good idea, i’ll join you in that bet…better than just not playing the derby, which was all I could think of to do in protest of eliminating so many graded stakes from eligibility.
Figless

Nice counter programming, might even steal a couple of longshots out of the Derby if their connections are wise. Big IF, of course, but if you have a horse that’s qualifies but is going to be 40-1 why not run here and prep for the Preakness, especially if a speedy type.

I for one will make a point of wagering on this race in support.
letthegoodtimesroll

great move! go for it! churchills move was so ridiculous!
letthegoodtimesroll

great move! go for it! churchills move was so ridiculous!
http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

Gotta love it!!!…PERIOD!!!…ty…
http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

Gotta love it!!!…PERIOD!!!…ty…
THE KEYMASTER

It would be delightful if the winner of the Illinois Derby goes on to trounce any horses that ran in the the Kentucky Derby and ends up 3-year-old champion. The Kentucky Derby is the most overrated race on the planet.
- Noelle
  
  I sort of agree about the KY Derby, mostly because there are too many horses in that race – the #1 post position is practically off behind the curve at the top of the stretch and even Secretariat might have had a problem if he’d started from way back there. If there were a more reasonable number of horses in the race (16 at most), breaking from a more reasonable gate, it would be much better to watch. As it is, it just looks like a cluster**** I don’t like a race where post position is overly determinative.
- TR10
  
  Sure, just like I’d rather win a race at Parx than Saratoga in August…
  - TR10
    
    Sarcasm aside, this was a smart move. But calling the Kentucky Derby overrated is irrational.
    - THE KEYMASTER
      
      There are not many recent KY Derby winners that have gone on to beat older horses… Since 1990 only one Ky Derby winner, Charismatic, has been named Horse of the Year. The KY Derby is a showcase for a bunch of underdeveloped 3-year-olds to attempt to get 10f whether they are bred to do so or not.
THE KEYMASTER

It would be delightful if the winner of the Illinois Derby goes on to trounce any horses that ran in the the Kentucky Derby and ends up 3-year-old champion. The Kentucky Derby is the most overrated race on the planet.
Rachel

That’s a good idea, i’ll join you in that bet…better than just not playing the derby, which was all I could think of to do in protest of eliminating so many graded stakes from eligibility.
Noelle

I sort of agree about the KY Derby, mostly because there are too many horses in that race – the #1 post position is practically off behind the curve at the top of the stretch and even Secretariat might have had a problem if he’d started from way back there. If there were a more reasonable number of horses in the race (16 at most), breaking from a more reasonable gate, it would be much better to watch. As it is, it just looks like a cluster**** I don’t like a race where post position is overly determinative.
Noelle

War Emblem won the Illinois Derby – what were they thinking in Kentucky?
Noelle

War Emblem won the Illinois Derby – what were they thinking in Kentucky?
Quilla

ALL state derbies should be part of this point process and shame on Churchill for not including the Illinois Derby. Go Hawthorne!
Quilla

ALL state derbies should be part of this point process and shame on Churchill for not including the Illinois Derby. Go Hawthorne!
Heidi Carpenter

Kudos to Hawthorne! As an IL resident, I’ve been very disappointed with the state of racing in IL lately, but Hawthorne’s decision with the Illinois Derby is a rose growing from the heap of ****.
Heidi Carpenter

Kudos to Hawthorne! As an IL resident, I’ve been very disappointed with the state of racing in IL lately, but Hawthorne’s decision with the Illinois Derby is a rose growing from the heap of ****.
Joelsarahjohnson

Wonder if anyone thought of offering a $5-million bonus if the Illinois Derby winner would go on to sweep the Preakness & Belmont?(Kind of like the Oaklawn bonus paid to Smarty Jones’ owners for winning the Rebel, Arkansas Derby, and Kentucky Derby)
- http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples
  
  That my man could be the START of a NEW TC series I see comming in the very near future…You have come up with a Great Idea for Hawthorne to get a BIG TIME SPONSORSHIP!!!…I HATE cdi & what they stand for, which is NOT MUCH!!!…ty…
Joelsarahjohnson

Wonder if anyone thought of offering a $5-million bonus if the Illinois Derby winner would go on to sweep the Preakness & Belmont?(Kind of like the Oaklawn bonus paid to Smarty Jones’ owners for winning the Rebel, Arkansas Derby, and Kentucky Derby)
Francis Bush

Churchill officials continue to make poor decisions. One would expect to have another Derby winner in the field that would enhance excitement. But CH must have felt that participants in the Illinois Derby would have significantly affected the future of the Ky Derby. Why should they retain the Florida Derby winner in the face of this sorry decision?
Francis Bush

Churchill officials continue to make poor decisions. One would expect to have another Derby winner in the field that would enhance excitement. But CH must have felt that participants in the Illinois Derby would have significantly affected the future of the Ky Derby. Why should they retain the Florida Derby winner in the face of this sorry decision?
http://Bellwether4u.com James Staples

That my man could be the START of a NEW TC series I see comming in the very near future…You have come up with a Great Idea for Hawthorne to get a BIG TIME SPONSORSHIP!!!…I HATE cdi & what they stand for, which is NOT MUCH!!!…ty…
THE ENFORCER

THE ILLINOIS RACING BOARD SHOULD ALSO APPROVE A MEASURE TO UNFREZZE ALL IL. RESIDENTS ADW ACCOUNTS IMMEDIATELY..

THE DUNCES IN SPRINGFIELD DID NOT DO THEIR HOMEWORK.. WHERE WAS THE IRB ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE RACING CONSUMER..??

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THE IL. ADW ACCOUNTS WILL BE UNFROZEN??
THE ENFORCER

THE ILLINOIS RACING BOARD SHOULD ALSO APPROVE A MEASURE TO UNFREZZE ALL IL. RESIDENTS ADW ACCOUNTS IMMEDIATELY..

THE DUNCES IN SPRINGFIELD DID NOT DO THEIR HOMEWORK.. WHERE WAS THE IRB ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE RACING CONSUMER..??

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THE IL. ADW ACCOUNTS WILL BE UNFROZEN??
TR10

Sure, just like I’d rather win a race at Parx than Saratoga in August…
TR10

Sarcasm aside, this was a smart move. But calling the Kentucky Derby overrated is irrational.
THE KEYMASTER

There are not many recent KY Derby winners that have gone on to beat older horses… Since 1990 only one Ky Derby winner, Charismatic, has been named Horse of the Year. The KY Derby is a showcase for a bunch of underdeveloped 3-year-olds to attempt to get 10f whether they are bred to do so or not.