Hawthorne Race Course did not run a Spring meet in 2020 as the facility underwent a facelift that will eventually accommodate slot machines. The Chicagoland racecourse will however run a Fall season beginning this week with a Friday through Sunday schedule into December when the race week slims down to Saturday and Sunday only, through Dec. 27. A total of 35 days with maiden special purses of $22,000 and bottom level maiden claimers offered $8,200.
Opening day has eight races, five on dirt and three on a turf course that can be used for several weeks yet if Mother Nature cooperates. First post is 3:10 p.m. A total of 87 horses were entered for an average field size of 10.87. Combine that with large handle and the betting opportunities abound.
A number of Canterbury trainers migrated to Hawthorne including leading trainer Joel Berndt,
Larry Sterling, Jr., and Gary Scherer. Karl Broberg also is trying Hawthorne. Bernell Rhone and Tony Rengstorf have Saturday entries. Berndt will likely saddle several for Canterbury leading owner Robert Lothenbach. Nine horses that last raced at Canterbury are entered Friday including three from Mac Robertson’s barn that now run under father Hugh Robertson’s name.
Jockeys that most recently worked in Shakopee that are named to ride Friday include Francisco Arrieta and Roimes Chirinos. They join jockeys Julio Felix, Constantino Roman and Jareth Loveberry. All three spent part of the meet at Canterbury before leaving for an abbreviated Arlington Park race meet.
Canterbury Racebook will offer wagering on Hawthorne’s entire meet.
Racing News
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday that the second running of the $20 million Saudi Cup will take place Feb. 20, 2021 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. Maximum Security won the inaugural event but JCSA officials have withheld the winner’s share of the purse as they await results of charges of doping leveled on trainer Jason Servis by the FBI.
