Hawthorne releases 2008 stakes schedule

Hawthorne Race Course released its 2008 stakes schedule on Thursday, and the

$500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) and $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) will be the

highlights of the season.

The Illinois Derby has been a significant prep to the Kentucky Derby (G1) in

the past, with such notables as War Emblem, who won both the 2001 Derby and

Preakness S. (G1), and Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint), who was the 2006

Kentucky Derby post time favorite, capturing the 1 1/8-mile test en route to their

Triple Crown runs.

This year's Illinois Derby will take place on April 5 and is the showcase

event of the spring season, which commences on March 7. In all, $1.575 million in stakes purses will be offered in the spring,

including the $75,000 Jim M. Levitch Owners H., set for its initial run on

Illinois Derby Day.

One significant change in the spring stakes schedule is in the form of a name

change. On April 19, the inaugural $200,000 Bill Hartack Memorial H. (G3) will be the new name of the race formerly known as the National Jockey Club

H. The race is in memory of the five-time Kentucky Derby winner who

passed away on November 26, and is listed for colts and geldings, three-years old and up, going nine furlongs.

The $200,000 Sixty Sails H. (G3), sending distaffers 1 1/8 miles, will also

be run on April 19.

Illinois-breds will have their day in the sun as well when

Illinois Champions Day returns on April 26. Six $100,000 stakes

restricted to state-bred Thoroughbreds will highlight the card.

The fall meet is scheduled to begin on September 26, with the Hawthorne Gold Cup

set to take place the next day. The prestigious event for three-year-olds and up has attracted some

of the finest horses in recent years, including this year's winner, Student

Council (Kingmambo). The third-place finisher in the 1 1/8-mile event, A. P.

Arrow (A.P. Indy), captured the Clark H. (G2) in his next outing. Student

Council, who won the Pacific Classic (G1) prior to his fast-finishing Gold Cup

score, ventured

overseas and competed in the $2.3-million Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) after running

at Hawthorne.

The Hawthorne Gold Cup has consistently been used as a stepping stone to the

Breeders' Cup and other significant autumn races.

"We'll continue to keep the Gold Cup in the national spotlight by providing a

lucrative purse and a timeframe that will allow this race to always be an ideal

prep for the Breeders' Cup," said Tim Carey, Hawthorne's president and

general manager. "The race has already established a pretty good history and I look forward to its

continued success."

Two other stakes races will continue to be a part of Hawthorne Gold Cup Day,

both of them on grass. The $150,000 Robert F. Carey Memorial H. (G3) at eight

furlongs and the $100,000 Indian Maid H. going 1 1/16 miles will be co-features on

the undercard.

Other stakes for the fall session include the $250,000 Hawthorne

Derby (G3) for three-year old grass specialists. The race, which is scheduled for October 11,

was captured this year by Bold Hawk (Silver Hawk), who ran third in the

Hollywood Derby (G1) in his next start.

The Phil Georgeff Festival of Racing will return on November 1, and

will give Illinois-bred Thoroughbreds another opportunity for black-type, with six

$100,000 races.