Backstretch Picnic, Purse Boost & Election Notice
Celebrate Our Scholars at the Annual Backstretch Picnic on Monday, July 29
Thank You, Feel the Thunder Racing and Owner Marty Nixon, for Donating an Ice Cream Truck for the Event!
We hope you join us for the annual backstretch picnic featuring games for kids, face painting, an ice cream truck, and the presentation of college scholarships to backstretch youth.
The Illinois Backstretch Charitable Foundation, the benevolent arm of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, will present scholarships totaling $43,000 to eight students — children of backstretch workers or trainers — pursuing higher education.
The scholarship program is an invaluable asset to Illinois thoroughbred racing, having helped hundreds of students in northern Illinois head to college.
“We are so grateful for the dedication and hard work of the backstretch workers responsible for the care of thoroughbred horses stabled at Hawthorne Race Course,” said Chris Block, the ITHA president. “We look forward every year to this opportunity to help their children pursue higher education.”
The picnic on Monday, July 29 begins at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served from noon to 1:30 p.m. The Stable of the Month award will be presented at 1:30 p.m., followed by the scholarship awards, and recreational time will begin at 1:45 p.m.
Another $1.44 Million for Hawthorne Purses
Hawthorne purses this summer will enjoy a boost of $1.44 million, thanks to the ITHA's diligence and advocacy at the Illinois Capitol during spring session.
We anticipate those funds — which were surplus dollars in the state's Horse Racing Fund — will be available in the form of higher purses by the end of July.
Thoroughbred purses at FanDuel/Fairmount separately will enjoy another $800,000 as a result of ITHA's initiative.
ITHA Election Notice
Offices of ITHA President and Five Seats on the Board of Directors Up for Election
Self-Nomination Forms Must Be Returned to ITHA, or Postmarked, by Friday, Sept. 27
Owners and trainers of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association:
This fall will feature an election for the following ITHA offices:
• President
• Two owner-only positions on the Board of Directors
• Three trainer-only or trainer/owner positions on the Board of Directors
The ITHA uses a self-nomination process for members running for such open positions. These forms will be available upon request from the ITHA office at the end of August.
Please note that candidate nomination forms must be postmarked or returned in person to the ITHA by Friday, Sept. 27.
Ballots will be mailed to ITHA voting members by Friday, Nov. 1.
Completed ballots, returned by mail to the ITHA, must be postmarked by Wednesday, Dec. 4.
If you have any questions, or would like to become a candidate, please contact the ITHA.