by Tom Kelley, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Cicero. IL — Racing Secretary Robin Schadt would like to remind all horsemen wishing to enter the upcoming Late Closers that will be offered as part of the 2018 Winter meet at Hawthorne Race Course, that nominations must be postmarked no later than Dec. 1.

Racing will kick off with a three-night week on Friday (Jan. 5) and conclude with a special Monday card on Feb. 19. There will be no racing on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 4), but that card will be moved back to Monday (Feb. 5).

The regular racing schedule will be conducted on a four-night a week basis with post time Thursday through Sunday at 7:10 p.m. (CST). The first qualifiers will not be conducted until Wed. (Jan 10).

Horsemen are also reminded that everyone wishing to race at Hawthorne must submit a stall application. Those applications were due by Nov. 1 but are still being accepted. Completed applications should be sent immediately to Hawthorne Race Course, attention Jim Miller, or faxed to 708.780.3727.

Stall applications, series information, entry forms and conditions for the meet can be found at www.hawthorneracecourse.com.

Please remember there is a “straw only” policy in all barns at Hawthorne. No shavings or sawdust will be allowed.

All payments and nomination forms for the winter late closers should be made payable to Suburban Downs Inc. and sent to Hawthorne Race Course, C/O Horseman’s Bookkeeper, 3501 S. Laramie Avenue, Cicero, IL 60804.

Entry fees are $200 per series.