Archive for April 2012

Illinois Champions Day: Three for Torres

STICKNEY/CICERO — Jockey Francisco “Cisco” Torres was the riding star of Illinois Champions Day at Hawthorne Race Course. His wins in the Land of Lincoln, Governor’s Lady, and Milwaukee Avenue assure him the crown as the meet’s leading rider. Torres, after the third win on the day, was understandably happy with his day. “I can’t... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 28, 2012 at 7:46 pm
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Illinois Champions Day Preview

Illinois Champions Day Preview We head into closing weekend at Hawthorne Race Course of the Spring 2011 meet. This weekend, the Illinois-Breds get a chance to shine. It’s the first of three days devoted to them, this one being Illinois Champions Day. Along with the six stakes, the 2011 Illinois Champions (Illinois Horse of the... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 26, 2012 at 9:43 pm
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Eusebio "Eddie" Razo, Jr. (1966-2012)

In a story broken earlier this afternoon by Daily Racing Form and Bloodhorse, jockey Eusebio “Eddie” Razo Jr., 46, was confirmed dead at his home in north suburban Long Grove. According to the Pioneer Local, which first reported the death, the cause of death was related to  an explosion at his home. While he’ll be... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 24, 2012 at 6:25 pm
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Sixty Sails Handicap: She's All In Romps

STICKNEY/CICERO — After facing the likes of Absinthe Minded and Tiz Miz Sue (the recent 2-3 finishers of the G1 Apple Blossom) at Oaklawn Park, SHE’S ALL IN shipped north and springed the mild upset in Saturday’s Grade 3 Sixty Sails Handicap. Donnie Von Hemel and Luis Quinonez were the winning trainer and rider. SHE’S... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 21, 2012 at 6:59 pm
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Sixty Sails Handicap Preview

From New Orleans-based ownership, Sixty Sails won two runnings of the Arlington Matron in 1974 and 1975. A year later, in 1976, Sportman’s Park in Cicero created a handicap in her honor. When Sportsman’s shuttered after the 2002 season, the Sixty Sails (along with the Illinois Derby, and other stakes) went next door to Hawthorne... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 19, 2012 at 9:26 pm
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Take Charge Indy: Chicago's Derby Hope

At the top of the ChicagoNow Derby Dozen List and a fixture on many Kentucky Derby lists is TAKE CHARGE INDY (A.P. Indy – Take Charge Lady, by Dehere). He earned a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate thanks to a wire-to-wire victory in the March 31 Grade 1 Florida Derby. Owned by Chuck... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 14, 2012 at 11:38 pm
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Derby Dozen 4

Once again, it’s time for another round of Derby Dozen. With prep races like the Florida Derby and Illinois Derby in the books, we can now get a firm handle on who are the contenders and the pretenders.  Our Derby Dozen #1 horse TAKE CHARGE INDY is (shock!) still number one after his win in... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 12, 2012 at 5:56 pm
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Giving Back

If you saw last Saturday”s Illinois Derby, chances are you saw the horses and the jockeys and the on-air television staff for WGN or TVG or for Hawthorne Race Course.  They’re the people you see, be it a half-million dollar race on television or your average weekday claiming race. But they aren’t the only people... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 10, 2012 at 9:06 pm
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Illinois Derby: Done Talking Silences Skeptics

The second of two recaps on today’s Illinois Derby Day stakes action. STICKNEY/CICERO — Never had fourteen horses entered the gate for the Illinois Derby, the seminal Derby prep in Chicago. Never had the Illinois Derby been televised on WGN. The large field and television coverage gave an element of sizzle to today’s Illinois Derby.... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 7, 2012 at 7:28 pm
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Taptowne Takes Cryptoclearance

The first of two recaps on today’s Illinois Derby Stakes action. STICKNEY/CICERO — Trainer Michael Reavis sent out two runners in this afternoon’s Cryptoclearance Stakes, a $60,000 stakes run just before the Illinois Derby. It was TAPTOWNE, a gray gelding out of Tapit, who scored the victory.  He paid $21.40 to win at went off... Read more »
By Paul Mazur,
April 7, 2012 at 6:35 pm
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