Illinois Derby

Horseraces infobox
class = Grade II
horse race = Illinois Derby


caption =
location = Hawthorne Race Course
Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, USA
inaugurated = 1923
race type = Thoroughbred - Flat racing
website = [http://www.hawthorneracecourse.com/ Hawthorne Race Course]
distance = 1⅛ miles (9 furlongs)
track = Dirt, Right-handed
qualification = Three-year-olds
weight = 122 lbs (55.3 kg)
purse = $500,000
bonuses = The Illinois Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses held in early April each year. First run in 1923, the Derby takes place at Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, just west of Chicago. It is open to horses, age three, willing to race one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt. It is a Grade II Stakes race offering a purse of $500,000.

Since 2001, the Illinois Derby is a prep race to the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that it was run between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The 2002 Illinois Derby won by War Emblem was the last one run at Sportsman's Park Racetrack.

2004 winner Pollard's Vision was named after Seabiscuit's jockey Red Pollard for his poor vision.

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

Winners of the Illinois Derby since 1995

Earlier winners

*1994 - Rustic Light
*1993 - Antrim Rd.
*1992 - Dignitas
*1991 - Richman
*1990 - Dotsero
*1989 - Music Merci
*1988 - Proper Reality
*1987 - Lost Code
*1986 - Bolshoi Boy
*1985 - Important Business
*1984 - Delta Trace
*1983 - Gen'l Practitioner
*1982 - Star Gallant
*1981 - Parlato

*1980 - Ray's Word
*1979 - Smarten
*1978 - Batonnier
*1977 - Flag Officer
*1976 - Life's Hope
*1975 - Colonel Power
*1974 - Sharp Gary
*1973 - Big Whippendeal
*1972 - Fame And Power
*1970 - 1971 "No race"
*1969 - King of The Castle
*1968 - Bold Favorite
*1967 - Royal Malabar

*1966 - Michigan Avenue
*1965 - Terra Hi (1st Div)
*1964 - Nushka
*1963 - Lemon Twist
*1939 - 1962 "No race"
*1938 - Gov. Chandler
*1937 - Case Ace
*1936 - Rushaway
*1935 - Sun Portland
*1934 - Mata Hari
*1933 - Sweeprush
*1924 - 1932 "No race"
*1923 - In Memoriam

References

* [http://www.pedigreequery.com/index.php?search_bar=stakes&query_type=stakes&field=view&id=1417 The Illinois Derby at Pedigree Query]