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Illinois Gaming Board Approves Hawthorne To Move Forward With Casino Development

Thirty years after Illinois passed legislation legalizing ten casinos to operate throughout the State, Hawthorne Race Course has been preliminarily approved to become its next casino. Today, the Illinois Gaming Board voted unanimously that Hawthorne's ownership and key personnel are “suitable” for eventual casino licensure.

Founded in 1891, Hawthorne is the longest running legal gambling business in the State and is Illinois' oldest sporting venue. In becoming a fully operational casino featuring slot machines, table games and sports betting, Hawthorne will transform Illinois horseracing and create the most dynamic entertainment experience for casino customers in the Chicagoland area.

“It's really hard to put into context what this means for the very hardworking people of the Illinois racing industry,” said Tim Carey, president and CEO of the 4th generation family-owned business. “It means horsemen will be able to keep their businesses and families in Illinois. It means showcasing this historic sport to a new generation of fans. It means creating a truly unique, first-of-its-kind entertainment experience that won't exist anywhere else in Illinois.”

In addition to slot machines and table games, Hawthorne's casino plans include a state-of-the-art sportsbook to be developed in partnership with PointsBet; dining amenities showcasing well-known Chicago culinary experiences; a multi-level parking garage; and a new racing operation with upgraded wagering facilities. Major construction and renovation is expected to begin in September with plans for the casino to open in late 2021.

“I think a lot of people may have expected us to simply put some slot machines and tables into our existing facility, but we're going to substantially raise the bar on the Chicagoland casino experience,” said Kevin Kline, Hawthorne's CEO of Gaming. “As an independent operator, Hawthorne is like a 130 year old start-up business, and we are going to lead with innovation, excitement and a culture that celebrates our customers and empowers our team members every day. We're going to break the mold on what a regional integrated casino, racing, and entertainment destination can be.”

Kline, a 25-year veteran of the gaming industry has significant experience in the development and management of ground-up, multi-faceted casino projects and operations across several markets including Chicagoland. He has been leading Hawthorne's development since September 2019.

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Friday’s Stronach 5 Offers Four Of Five Races On The Turf

The Stronach 5 returns Friday with four of five races scheduled on the turf along with an industry-low 12-percent takeout and $100,000 guaranteed pool.

The action begins at 3:21 with a field of 10 maidens going 1 1/16 mile on the Fort Marcy Turf Course. Laurel's eighth race, the fourth leg of the Stronach 5, will be a restricted allowance race with a field of 10 Maryland-breds going 5 ½ furlongs on the Kelso Turf Course. Both races from Gulfstream Park, the eighth and 10th, are scheduled over the grass.

Friday's races and sequence

· Leg One – Laurel Park 6th Race: (10 entries, 1 1/16 mile turf) 3:21 ET, 12:21 PT

· Leg Two –Gulfstream Park 8th Race: (10 entries, 1 mile turf) 3:40 ET, 12:40 PT

· Leg Three –Laurel Park 7th Race: (12 entries, 6 furlongs) 3:59 ET, 12:59 PT

· Leg Four –Laurel Park 8th Race: (10 entries, 5 ½ furlongs turf) 4:33 ET, 1:33 PT

· Leg Five –Gulfstream Park 10th race: (12 entries, 5 furlongs turf) 4:48 ET, 1:48 PT

Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.

The Stronach 5 In the Money podcast, hosted by Jonathan Kinchen and Peter Thomas Fornatale, will be posted by 2 p.m. Thursday at InTheMoneyPodcast.com and will be available on iTunes and other major podcast distributors

The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.

If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.

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Orlando Noda Off To A Strong Start Versus ‘Tough’ Competition At Saratoga Meet

When Orlando Noda came to Saratoga as a trainer for the first time last year, he quickly got his first victory with T Loves a Fight [who is entered in Thursday's John Morrissey] in an allowance race. That followed with two more winners and three other in-the-money finishes from nine starters at the meet.

Within the first 10 days of the current Saratoga meet, Noda has already won three races from seven starters, which included maiden winner First Line and going-away allowance winner Danny California. Both horses are owned by him and his brother Jonathan under the nom de course Noda Brothers.

“We wanted to put them where they could win,” Noda said. “We all hope for the best. The competition is tough, but you have to place them aggressively. As long as they are training good and eating good, they can run. I would like to accomplish six wins this meet. That's been the goal.”

Noda is currently working with 18 horses at Saratoga as he continues to grow his stable. However, he will be the first to admit it's not easy.

“We're growing,” he said. “Slowly and surely, I think people are noticing us. People are sending me horses. Everyone thinks that we can claim a horse for $10,000 and become [T Likes to Fight], but it's not that easy. Realistically, it is seven days a week. There is no time off. The horses have to eat and they need beds. We have to do the best possible job and treat every horse as if they are a stakes horse.”

One of the horses that Noda is considering for the stakes level is First Line, who earned a 90 Beyer for his breakthrough score Wednesday in a nine-furlong maiden. The First Samurai gelding, bred in Kentucky by Sather Family, is nominated for the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers on August 8.

The 3-year-old gelding fought Hometown through the stretch to win his first start by a neck under leading rider Jose Ortiz. Noda said he plans to make a decision by Tuesday, the day before the Travers entry is drawn.

“He came out of that race in good shape,” Noda said. “He fought a mile and an eighth through the wire. As long as he tells me that he's ready to fire, I'm not one to hold back. I'll make a decision the day before entries. I think the horse shows talent. He is game on the track. He has to mature in each race.”

Noda said he may also consider the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy on September 5 – another race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles – for First Line.

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Point Of Honor ‘Deserves A Shot’ Against Midnight Bisou In Personal Ensign

Proud as he is of the way Point of Honor performed last summer at Saratoga, finishing second in both the Grade 1 Alabama and Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, trainer George Weaver is hoping for a little better this year.

“She ran big here last year, but she got beat,” Weaver said. “Hopefully, she doesn't get beat this time.”

The task will be a difficult one, as Point of Honor will line up against champion Midnight Bisou and four others in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign presented by NYRA Bets. The 1 1/8-mile event for older fillies and mares is the first of five stakes, four graded including three Grade 1s, worth $2 million in purses on a 12-race Whitney Day program.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stetson Racing's Point of Honor won the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan last spring at Pimlico Race Course prior to her Saratoga runs, and did not race back until finishing second as the favorite in a seven-furlong handicap in March at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 4-year-old daughter of Hall of Famer Curlin overcame a slow start to run third in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 18 at Oaklawn Park, and most recently came up a nose shy of winner She's a Julie in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on June 13 at Belmont Park. Both races are contested at 1 1/16 miles.

“I think she's a better filly at 4. I think she's filled out and she's a stronger filly. Her races have all been good this year, though we're still waiting to get that first win,” Weaver said. “It's a tough assignment on Saturday but she deserves a shot at it as much as anybody in there.”

Point of Honor drew far outside in the field of six, while Midnight Bisou will break from post 3 in defense of her 2019 Personal Ensign victory, which came by a nose over Elate with She's a Julie third.

“Midnight Bisou is the champ. If you're trying to pick the horses to run against you wouldn't pick her,” Weaver said, “But, we're here and she's doing well and she deserves a shot at it so we'll see what happens.”

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, aboard for seven of Point of Honor's nine races including both Saratoga starts and the Black-Eyed Susan, has the return call Saturday.

Weaver also said R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Vekoma, impressive last out winner of the Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile on July 4 at Belmont, is doing well and expected to make his next start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Forego on August 29 at Saratoga.

Vekoma has yet to return to the work tab since the Met Mile, a front-running 1 ¼-length triumph that extended his win streak to three races and came 28 days after a 7 ¼-length romp in the Grade 1 Runhappy Carter Handicap which, like the Forego, is contested at seven furlongs.

“I was on the fence in running back in the Met Mile after four weeks off the big race in the Carter, and following the Met Mile I was not looking to come back in four or five weeks,” Weaver said. “We're trying to make it to the Breeders' Cup and the Forego is the most logical next spot.

“So far, everything's looking good and we're looking forward to getting him back to the races,” Weaver said. “He's always been a good horse. The sky's the limit for him.”

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