# Hawthorne Derby

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. In 2024, it was contested for a purse of $150,000 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

| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
| 2024 | Ak Sar Ben Derby | | John Ortiz | Millard R. Seldin Revocable Trust | |
| 2023 | Act a Fool | | Larry Rivelli | | |
| 2022 | Speaking Scout | Jareth Loveberry | H. Graham Motion | Eclipse Thoroughbreds Partners | 1:48.80 |
| 2021 | Mohs | Jareth Loveberry | Patrick B. McBurney | Dominic Bossone, Nadine Schnoor, Peter Donnelly, W. Oberdorff, & ABL Stable | 1:50.32 |
| 2017 | Mr. Bariley | Santo Sanjur | Anthony J. Granitz | Captain Jack Racing Stable | 1:56.07 |
| 2015 | Lucky Lindy | Robby Albarado | Mark R. Frostad | Augustin Stable | 1:48.26 |
| 2013 | Kid Dreams | Francisco C. Torres | Neil D. Drysdale | Robert S. Evans | 2:01.49 |
| 2012 | Two Months Rent | Jesus Lopez Castanon | James J. Toner | AJ Suited Racing Stable | 1:52.58 |
| 2011 | Willcox Inn | Robby Albarado | Michael Stidham | All In Stable | 1:48.97 |
| 2010 | Yankee Fourtune | Victor Santiago | Kiaran McLaughlin | Harvey Clark & Andrew Albstein | 1:46.28 |
| 2009 | Proceed Bee | Christopher Emigh | Scott Becker | William Stiritz | 1:57.00 |
| 2008 | Strait of Mewsina | E.T. Baird | Larry Rivelli | Richard Ravin | 1:49.48 |
| 2007 | Bold Hawk | Jean-Luc Samyn | James J. Toner | Patricia E. Nicholson & Justin Nicholson | 1:47.45 |
| 2006 | Best of Buddies | Eddie M. Martin Jr. | Michelle Boyce | Barr Three LLC | 1:50.59 |
| 2005 | Gun Salute | Cornelio Velásquez | William I. Mott | Brant M. Laue | 1:47.51 |
| 2004 | Cool Conductor | José A. Santos | William I. Mott | David E. Garner | 1:47.89 |
| 2003 | False Promises | Carlos Marquez Jr. | Tony Granitz | David Maracich | 1:48.48 |
| 2002 | Scooter Roach * | Jesse Campbell | Terrel Gore | Lizabeth Gore | 1:58.88 |
| 2001 | Kalu | José A. Santos | Christophe Clement | Robert G. Schaedle & Bonnie Heath Farm | 1:50.49 |
| 2000 | Hymn (DH) | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Richard J. Lundy | Richard Nip & Scott Goldsher | 1:53.79 |
| 2000 | Rumsonontheriver (DH) | John S. Pregman Jr. | Alfredo J. Juarez Jr. | John S. Pregman Jr. & Gerald Goodman | 1:53.79 |
| 1999 | Minor Wisdom | Ramsey Zimmerman | Richie Scherer | Carolyn Friedberg | 1:49.06 |
| 1998 | Stay Sound | Anthony J. D'Amico | Bernard S. Flint | Richard Klein & Elaine Bertram | 1:47.54 |
| 1997 | River Squall | Craig Perret | Peter M. Vestal | Thomas M. Carey | 1:48.20 |
| 1996 | Jaunatxo | Juvenal Lopez Diaz | Louie J. Roussel, III | Louie J. Roussel, III | 1:47.18 |
| 1995 | Cuzzin Jeb | Charles C. Lopez | Gene A. Lotti, Jr. | Scott Young | 1:48.90 |
| 1994 | Chrysalis House | Mark Guidry | Harvey L. Vanier | Nancy A. Vanier, Lyda Williamson & Diane Curry | 1:51.88 |
| 1993 | Snake Eyes | Garrett K. Gomez | Steven L. Morguelan | Mel Isenstein | 1:50.28 |
| 1992 | Bantan | Curt C. Bourque | P. Noel Hickey | Irish Aces Farms | 1:48.05 |
| 1991 | Rainbows for Life | David Penna | James E. Day | Sam-Son Farms | 1:44.70 |
* In 2002, Flying Dash won the race but was disqualified for use of medications banned in the state of Illinois

## Earlier winners

* 1990 – Tutu Tobago
* 1989 – Broto
* 1988 – Pappas Swing
* 1987 – Zaizoom
* 1986 – Autobot
* 1985 – Derby Wish
* 1984 – Pass The Line
* 1983 – St. Forbes
* 1982 – Drop Your Drawers
* 1981 – Jeremy Jet
* 1980 – Jaklin Klugman
* 1979 – Architect
* 1978 – Sensitive Prince
* 1977 – Silver series
* 1976 – Wardlaw
* 1975 – Winter Fox
* 1974 – Stonewalk
* 1973 – Golden Don
* 1972 – Feloniously
* 1971 – Northfields
* 1970 – Well Mannered
* 1969 – Oil Power
* 1968 – Te Vega
* 1967 – Gentleman James
* 1966 – Handsome Boy
* 1965 – Bold Bidder