Following the conclusion of the spring thoroughbred season at Hawthorne, the track crew embarked once again on the racing surface conversion. As the only pari-mutuel track left in the United States to convert from a dirt thoroughbred surface to a limestone harness track, crews worked tirelessly stripping off dirt, removing rails, clearing barns and prepping the new surface, all in 96 hours, to prepare for the start of the summer harness season. Everything was prepped in time for horsemen to arrive on Saturday, May 1 as the summer harness season kicked off on Friday, May 7. When racing commenced on opening night, driver Kyle Wilfong was ready to pounce. Wilfong kicked off the racing season winning the meet opener behind Surreal Art (1:53) for trainer Perry Smith. That victory started a string of four straight trips to the winner’s circle for Wilfong as he drove home Nora Tova (1:55.3), Wildcat Delight (1:55.1) and Castle Flight (1:52) to wins in races two through fo
Standardbred racehorses will return to the track at Hawthorne Race Course for a summer of live harness racing beginning Friday, May 7.
“Chicago’s hometown track” will host racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night beginning at 7 p.m. Capacity is currently limited to 50%, but now includes expanded outdoor seating in the new First Turn Terrace.
“There’s a lot of pent-up demand for live sports entertainment and with harness racing you can get so close to the action,” said Tim Carey, president and general manager of Hawthorne Race Course. “The view from the new First Turn Terrace is amazing because the horses are coming right at you and then go spinning away through the turn.”
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Arlington Park opened what may be its last season Friday, after owner Churchill Downs said it was shutting down the iconic horse racing track because it wouldn't make as much money as casinos.
After growing up on backstretch, exercise rider doesn t want Arlington Park to close
Carlos Espinoza, an exercise rider at Arlington Park, said when word came that the racecourse was put up for sale, Everybody was shocked, thinking what are they going to do now. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Carlos Espinoza, an exercise rider at Arlington Park, said, The best part is when we see the horses win races after all the hard work. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
Updated 4/24/2021 11:26 PM
Rumors had been flying for months, but Carlos Espinoza still was shocked when he found out that Arlington Park was put on the market in February.