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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.



Online Horse Racing graded stakes

Graded Stakes Races

Apr 4

Keeneland: Central Bank Ashland Stakes ,$750,000 ,3yo f ,8.5f Dirt

Keeneland: Transylvania Stakes ,$600,000 ,3yo ,8.5f Turf

Apr 5

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

Japan Racing Association: Churchill Downs Cup ,$622,000 ,3yo ,8f Turf

Japan Racing Association: Lord Derby Challenge Trophy ,$633,000 ,4&up ,8f Turf

Keeneland: Appalachian Stakes ,$500,000 ,3yo f ,8f Turf

Keeneland: Blue Grass Stakes ,$1,250,000 ,3yo ,9f Dirt

Keeneland: Commonwealth Stakes ,$350,000 ,4&up ,7f Dirt

Keeneland: Madison Stakes ,$650,000 ,4&up f/m ,7f Dirt

Keeneland: Shakertown Stakes ,$400,000 ,3&up ,5.5f Turf

Santa Anita: Monrovia Stakes ,$100,000 ,4&up f/m ,6.5f Turf

Santa Anita: Santa Anita Derby ,$500,000 ,3yo ,9f Dirt

Santa Anita: Santa Anita Oaks ,$200,000 ,3yo f ,8.5f Dirt

Apr 6

Japan Racing Association: Osaka Hai ,$3,108,000 ,4&up ,10f Turf

Keeneland: MiddleGround Capital Beaumont ,$400,000 ,3yo f ,abt 7f Dirt

Apr 11

Keeneland: Maker's Mark Mile ,$650,000 ,4&up ,8f Turf