Bet on Illinois Derby
Illinois Derby
Stakes: Grade II for 3-year-old thoroughbreds
Distance: 1 1/8 miles
Track: Dirt
Purse: $500,000
The Illinois Derby was first run in 1923 at Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois just west of Chicago. After being run at Aurora in 1938, it was discontinued and was only revived at Sportsman's Park in 1963.
Apparently, horse racing handicappers convinced Bill Johnston, the late Sportsman's Park president, into resurrecting the 1 1/8-mile race.
"Good idea, Dave," Johnston said when it was first suggested in 1960. But his racing secretary, the late Robert P. McAuliffe, said, "Feldman is crazy. This race won't draw flies at 1 1/8 miles."
The purse, at that time, was only $25,000, but a full field competed, and Lemon Twist won it before a packed house.
The Illinois Derby was such a success that owners and trainers started to ship horses from everywhere. The race has grown to be one of the richest for 3-year-olds.
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 Stakes. The 2002 Illinois Derby won by War Emblem was the last one run at Sportsman's Park Racetrack.
Stakes Races
Triple Crown
Graded Stakes Races
Gulfstream Park: Florida Derby ,$1,000,000 ,3yo ,9f Dirt
Gulfstream Park: Ghostzapper Stakes ,$165,000 ,4&up ,8.5f Dirt
Gulfstream Park: Gulfstream Park Oaks ,$250,000 ,3yo f ,8.5f Dirt
Gulfstream Park: Orchid Stakes ,$165,000 ,4&up f/m ,12f Turf
Gulfstream Park: Pan American Stakes ,$215,000 ,4&up ,12f Turf
Japan Racing Association: Mainichi Hai ,$622,000 ,3yo ,9f Turf
Japan Racing Association: Nikkei Sho ,$1,045,000 ,4&up ,12.5f Turf
Oaklawn Park: Arkansas Derby ,$1,500,000 ,3yo ,9f Dirt
Oaklawn Park: Fantasy Stakes ,$750,000 ,3yo f ,8.5f Dirt
Oaklawn Park: Oaklawn Mile Stakes ,$500,000 ,4&up ,8f Dirt
Santa Anita: San Carlos Stakes ,$100,000 ,4&up ,7f Dirt
Santa Anita: Wilshire Stakes ,$100,000 ,4&up f/m ,8f Turf
Japan Racing Association: March Stakes ,$590,000 ,4&up ,9f Dirt
Japan Racing Association: Takamatsunomiya Kinen ,$2,649,000 ,4&up ,6f Turf
Keeneland: Central Bank Ashland Stakes ,$750,000 ,3yo f ,8.5f Dirt
Keeneland: Transylvania Stakes ,$600,000 ,3yo ,8.5f Turf
Aqueduct: Carter Stakes ,$300,000 ,4&up ,7f Dirt
Aqueduct: Distaff Stakes ,$175,000 ,4&up f/m ,7f Dirt
Aqueduct: Gazelle Stakes ,$200,000 ,3yo f ,9f Dirt
Aqueduct: Wood Memorial ,$750,000 ,3yo ,9f Dirt
