All Horse Racing

Hawthorne Racecourse History

On October 20, 1890, Edward Corrigan purchased 119 acres of land in Cicero Township and construction begins on the Hawthorne grandstand. On May 20, 1891, Hawthorne Race Course opened with a five-race card. In May 1909, Corrigan sold the Hawthorne grounds to Thomas Carey. Hawthorne s racing season is expanded to 25 days in 1923, and a new 25,000 dining facility is opened. In 1924, The Chicago Business Men s Racing Association took over the racing operation of Hawthorne and conducted a 52-day meet, and a new clubhouse was built.

A 58-day racing season was begun on July 2, 1925. In 1926, certificate wagering replaced cooperative wagering. On August 27, 1927, the Chicago Juvenile Handicap, now known as the Hawthorne Juvenile was introduced. On September 24, the Autumn Handicap, later known as the Chicago Handicap, was inaugurated. A new clubhouse was inaugurated in 1928. In 1931, Hawthorne became the first major track in USA to use an electrical timer. Also, a new infield tote board was installed in the same year. In 1934, infrared rays were installed as part of an automatic timing device. In the same year, a new paddock was built.

Hawthorne installed a new tote system, American Totalizator in 1938. In 1941, a new dining room on the second floor of the clubhouse and new club boxes were introduced. In July 7, 1947, work began on a new racing strip. In 1948, turf racing returned to Hawthorne after a 44-year absence. New Daily Double machines were installed in 1953, as also, a new pari-mutuel unit was installed, and a new paddock was built. In 1961, an all-new, glass-enclosed, air-conditioned Gold Cup Room was opened. In 1967, seating was increased by 2,500, 17,000.

Harness racing took place for the first time in 1970 at Hawthorne. On May 8, 1976, the first quarter-horse race was run at a pari-mutuel racetrack in Illinois. The Robert F. Carey Memorial Handicap was inaugurated in 1983. On January 15-18, 1994, due to weather-related cancellations, Hawthorne became the first Illinois track to offer full-card simulcasts of out-of-state races. Full-card simulcasting begins on February 4, 1995.

More About Hawthorne Racecourse

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