The Hawthorne Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1965 at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney, Illinois near Chicago. Raced in October, it is open to three-year-old horses. It is contested for a purse of $250,000 over a distance of 1+1⁄8 miles on turf.

Inaugurated as the Hawthorne Diamond Jubilee in 1965 (through 1968), it was run on dirt until 1984 when it was switched to the turf course. The John R. Gaines colt Bold Bidder won the inaugural race then the following year returned to the Hawthorne Race Course to win the 1966 Hawthorne Gold Cup.

From inception, the Hawthorne Derby has been run at various distances. Since 1989 it has been set at a mile and one eighth. In 1979 the race was run at the now closed Sportsman's Park.

The Race Was Not Run In 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, & 2020.

Records

Time records:

(At current distance of 1+1⁄8 miles turf)

• 1:44.70 Rainbows For Life (1991)

(A course record which still stands)

(At the prior distance of 1+1⁄16 miles dirt)

• 1:39.60 Sensitive Prince (1978)

(A track record which still stands)

Winners of the Hawthorne Derby since 1991

• In 2002, Flying Dash won the race but was disqualified for use of medications banned in the state of Illinois

Earlier winners

References