The Illinois Racing Board declined the 2027 race date applications from Hawthorne Race Course and Suburban Downs during their meeting on September 16. This decision came shortly after Hawthorne’s suburban Chicago property was sold amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The board did not clarify the specific reasons for rejecting the applications.
The board informed both Hawthorne and Suburban Downs about deficiencies in their submissions and allowed time for corrections. However, upon reviewing the responses, the board concluded that the applications still failed to comply with the relevant Act and the board’s regulations. Hawthorne had requested Thoroughbred race dates from March 27 to October 31, 2027, while Suburban Downs, operated by the Carey family focusing on Standardbred racing, sought dates spanning most of the year, from January 2 to December 26.
When the applications were initially announced in August, the IRB indicated they would undergo a staff review to identify any shortcomings, and applicants could amend their submissions before the final board review. Notably, these applications were filed despite Hawthorne being in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, with plans already underway to sell the Stickney, Illinois property to Allimac LLC. Since then, the sale has been completed, and Hawthorne has ended racing activities at that location.
Neither Hawthorne nor Suburban Downs presented during the date hearing, and the board did not explore potential alternatives for either organization to secure race dates in 2027. Uncertainty also surrounds the future of Hawthorne’s 11 off-track betting (OTB) sites, which rely on an active racing operation for license eligibility. The board did not address the impact of the application denial on these OTB locations during the meeting.
In contrast, the board approved Fairmount Park’s request for 73 days of Thoroughbred racing in 2027, an increase from 57 days in 2026. Fairmount will conduct races from April 6 to November 23, mainly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and the first Saturday of each month, with a minimum of seven races per program.
Fairmount president Vince Gabbert reported the track’s 862 stalls are fully occupied, reaching capacity about a month before Hawthorne ceased operations. Field sizes have recently improved, and Fairmount plans to keep its backside open through the winter while considering additional barns to house more horses.
Gabbert also shared that Fairmount is designing several racing-related upgrades connected to the construction of its permanent casino. Initial projects include building a new paddock, racing office, and jockeys’ quarters, with hopes to complete the new paddock before the start of the 2027 meet.
Despite challenges like the closure of Hawthorne, IRB executive director Domenic DiCera expressed optimism for 2027. He highlighted the increased race schedule at Fairmount Park and thanked everyone who contributed to ensuring continued opportunities for Illinois horsemen, aiming to revitalize racing in the state moving forward.
This story was first published by Paulick Report on September 16, 2026.
Fan Take: This development is significant for horse racing enthusiasts as it marks a pivotal shift in Illinois racing, with the end of Hawthorne’s storied presence and a major boost for Fairmount Park. The decisions made now will shape the future landscape of racing in the region, potentially setting new standards for growth and competition in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
