The Illinois Derby is a race for Thoroughbred horses held in early April each year. First run in 1923, the Derby takes place at Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, just west of Chicago. It is open to horses, age three, willing to race one and one-eighth miles (9 furlongs) on the dirt. It is a Grade II Stakes race offering a purse of $500,000.
After being run at Aurora Downs Racetrack in 1938, the race was on hiatus until 1963 when it was revived at Sportsman’s Park Racetrack where it remained util 2003.
Since 2001, the Illinois Derby is a prep race to the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that it was run between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The 2002 Illinois Derby won by War Emblem was the last one run at Sportsman’s Park Racetrack.
