Archive for December 2012

Magna Fortuna: A Culmination and a Cause

Most stories of two-year-olds hitting the track aren’t that exciting at a glance, except to the connections of those involved.  A breeding, a conception, time to prepare, and see the starter. With time added in. The story of MAGNA FORTUNA (Magna Graduate – Silver Option, by Silver Hawk) is a most unique and interesting one,... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 24, 2012 at 11:04 pm
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The "Almost A Stakes" Preview 2

Typically, the late winter cards at Hawthorne usually feature cheaper horses. $5,000 claimers seem to be the order of the day, with a maiden special weight or low-level allowance peppered in. But this Saturday, despite the calendar, features an allowance race that could double as a $50,000 unrestricted stake or a state-bred stake for three... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 20, 2012 at 7:44 pm
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The "Almost A Stakes" Preview 1

Typically, the late winter cards at Hawthorne usually feature cheaper horses. $5,000 claimers seem to be the order of the day, with a maiden special weight or low-level allowance peppered in. But this Saturday, despite the calendar, features an allowance race that could double as a $50,000 unrestricted stake or a state-bred stake for three... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 13, 2012 at 9:01 pm
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Chatfield Road Stretches Out, Wins Edgar Futurity

STICKEY/CICERO–Eleven Illinois-bred two-year-old colts and geldings saw the starter in the Jim Edgar Futurity, but a late scratch of WICENTY reduced the field to ten. That defection did bother the three outside horses–FLATHEAD RIVER, STAR OF CLASS, and THINKING SHOWBIZ. It didn’t bother CHATFIELD ROAD, who broke alertly, got onto the lead, and held everyone... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 8, 2012 at 6:54 pm
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Jim Edgar Futurity Preview

Born in Oklahoma in 1946, Jim Edgar served two terms in the 1990s as Governor of Illinois. Governor Edgar is a rare species: an honest Illinois politician, as the Prairie State would then have two consecutive governors who each have faced criminal charges and prison sentences. He maintained and left office with favorable approval ratings.... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 7, 2012 at 7:31 pm
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Hawthorne Holiday Showvivor Day 3/"Jim Versus"

Day 2 Recap: Though not a good bet (with closing odds of 3-5), we did get our winner home in the opener at a $3.20 return. Two days, two heavily favored winners. We’re on the leaderboard (yahoo!) under our Twitter name but with over four hundred entrants to go, our goal is to stay on... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 5, 2012 at 9:19 pm
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Hawthorne Holiday Showvivor Day 2

Renewed for the final month of Hawthorne Race Course’s Fall meet, Hawthorne Showvivor once again offers a $2,500 top prize to the player who lasts the longest picking horses in the top three. “Picks and Ponderings” is back to try it again, and we get the benefit of a head start. The contest started on... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 1, 2012 at 9:33 pm
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My Option is the Best Option in Whitworth Debutante

STICKNEY/CICERO–One of the most dependable jockey/trainer teams in Chicago thoroughbred racing chalked up another victory on a mild early December afternoon at Hawthorne Race Course. The team of rider Eddie Perez and trainer Chris Block earned the winning honors in the Pat Whitworth Debutante for two-year-old Illinois-bred fillies. The jockey/trainer team have worked well together... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
December 1, 2012 at 5:20 pm
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