Hawthorne Derby
The Hawthorne Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1965 at Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney/Cicero, 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 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 the prior distance of miles dirt)