Fox Valley Exploit News Today

Ominous skies loomed over Hawthorne Race Course much of the day on Saturday (Oct. 14) evening but the rains cleared as the track was listed as good for Night of Champions. Twelve stakes finals were contested as the best in the state of Illinois lined up with nearly $1.2 million in purses on the line.

The rain certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of any of the Illinois Conceived and Foaled harness racing pacers and trotters who vied in 12 events totaling $1,175,000 on Saturday night, Oct. 14, known as “The Night of Champions.” Starter Adam Brownly got each race off to a near perfect start over a track surface listed as

The top Illinois-bred horses will be competing for more than $1 million in purses on Saturday, Oct. 14 as 12 stakes events will be contested during Night of Champions at Hawthorne.

While most follow in the footsteps of family members to become a horseman, there are some that take a more unfamiliar route to get a driver or trainer’s license — going from the grandstand to the backstretch.