Hawthorne Purses to Rise 18%, through July 15, Thanks to ITHA Advocacy

Higher Purses Start Thursday, June 15

Beginning Thursday, June 15 and through July 15, Hawthorne purses will increase across the board by 18% as a result of advocacy by the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

After Arlington Park closed in September 2021, that track attempted to keep hundreds of thousands of dollars from the horsemen’s purse account. Arlington eventually folded in its attempt to keep the money after ITHA pursued litigation against Arlington, compelling the track to release the money. ITHA is now directing the remaining settlement funds to Hawthorne purses, which will account for the purse increase from June 15 to July 15.

Separately, as the ITHA shared on May 27, Illinois lawmakers agreed to transfer $5.1 million of the surplus in the state's Horse Racing Fund to purses. The thoroughbred purse account at Hawthorne will receive $2.295 million of that sum and purses will increase accordingly thereafter — possibly starting in mid-July, upon the expiration of the purse increase beginning June 15.

The ITHA, which successfully advocated in Springfield for this objective, will work with Hawthorne to determine the precise timing and size of those purse increases.

We recognize this is a difficult time for Illinois thoroughbred racing and we are proud to continue serving and supporting the working men and women of our industry.