Hawthorne Race Course has finalized preparations for its first day of racing April 19 since filing for bankruptcy protection at the end of February.
The track drew seven races, the first with only four horses, followed by fields of six, five, six, six, seven, and eight—a respectable showing given the uncertainty about Hawthorne's financial situation, delay in preparation of the track, and last-minute boxes to be checked by the Illinois Racing Board and the court.
"Without making it something it isn't, for only having a few weeks of track time for the local guys to get ready, and considering most Oaklawn (Park), Tampa Bay (Downs), and Fair Grounds horses aren't here yet, I would call it pretty darn good," said David McCaffrey, executive director of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
Hawthorne director of racing Jim Miller said Hawthorne officials knew they faced "challenges" going into the 2026 meeting and applauded the horsemen's cooperation.
"Fortunately, we have an incredible relationship and support from the ITHA," Miller said. "While we may face some struggles at times, we will make sure to fill the cards."
Hawthorne is slated to race two days per week, Sundays and Thursdays. After the push to get together an opening-day card, the April 23 program could be even more of a lift.
A final bureaucratic hurdle to racing was the requirement that Hawthorne obtain a surety bond guaranteeing payment of pari-mutuel taxes—a step still unresolved at the time of the most recent bankruptcy court hearing April 13. The judge approved funding for the bond and the IRB said April 15 that requirement was in place, pending verification.
While the start of racing is a critical step in Hawthorne's effort to return to financial stability, much remains to be done. A final hearing is slated for April 20 on approval for the track to use the balance of a $15 million bankruptcy loan and on a budget for doing that.
While threading that needle, the track and its creditors continue to seek either an investor to pay off debts, help fund ongoing operations, and build a long-delayed racino at the suburban Chicago track—or to sell the facility for redevelopment.
Since Churchill Downs Inc. closed Arlington International Racecourse in 2021, Hawthorne is the only operating track in the Chicago area. The only other Illinois facility is Fairmount Park in Collinsville, across the Mississippi River from St. Louis.
