Hawthorne's Illinois Derby 2014

With the Kentucky Derby 140 only fourteen days away we take a look at the fabulous Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Race Course in the inner ring suburbs of Chicago.  This race should be on the Derby trail as it is an excellent prep for horses going on to Churchill Downs.

Hawthorne's long, magnificent stretch is a test of any horse's stamina and endurance.  Perhaps one day it will be in the Derby point system, though the race date would have to be moved up a couple of weeks.

This years running of the Illinois Derby promises to be exceptionally exciting.

Hawthorne Race 9 {Illinois Derby~G3~1 1/8 mile~3 year old~Stakes}
A fine group of eight runners will take to the Hawthorne dirt in an attempt to grab a share of the $550K prize.  Lack of any true speed could cause this group to have a significant quickening going into the stretch.  With one exception, the favorite, Midnight Hawk, all speed numbers match up very closely. It should be an extremely exciting race on this Stakes Saturday.

#3 Midnight Hawk (M. Garcia / Baffert) is the deserved favorite with the highest last out speed number (the only triple digit among the group), a five race progression, and two solid workouts.  His tracking style will keep him in this one until the wire.  This is his race to win.
$1 WIN.

#8 Class Leader (Graham / Howard) should challenge with the second highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and four stellar peaking workouts.  He can be expected to be in the thick of the tracking group ready to move swiftly through the stretch.
$1 PLACE / $1 SHOW.

#7 Global Strike (Thornton / Pletcher) should contend with the third highest last out speed figure and two workmanlike works.  He too will be in the midst of the tracking pack.  This lad has already run this distance three times with good success.
$1 SHOW.

Another Wagering Interest

#5 King Cyrus (Napravnik / Pletcher) is another that will find himself in the track pack with the fourth highest (tie) last out speed number and two efficient workouts.  This guy holds the third highest speed number at the distance and the third highest speed number over a dirt surface.  He should be in the mix.

10 CENT Superfecta

#3 Midnight Hawk, #8 Class Leader  /  #3, #8  /  #7 Global Strike, #5 King Cyrus  /  #7, #5.



Friday's Results
Keeneland R9.  Doubledogdare--G3.  Our first pick, Emollient, finished 3rd for show money of $1.20.  Our second pick, Strathnaver [GB] finished 4th.  Our third pick, Solid Appeal, finished 5th.
Superfecta went 7-2-10-11.
Bankroll takes a dive to $5.19.