Chicago, IL – Representatives of Hawthorne Race Course, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in late February, on March 18 told the Illinois Racing Board its priority is to ensure all horsemen are paid as the process moves forward to find a buyer who will maintain racing and build a casino at the racetrack.
The IRB suspended the license of Suburban Downs, Hawthorne’s Standardbred licensee, on January 26. The first 14 days of the 2026 harness meet were never held, leaving 20 days for late fall.
Tony Somone, executive director of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, told the IRB horsemen are still waiting for about $2.5 million in purse payments from 2025, as well as legislated operating funds for the association. He also said revenue generated by Suburban Downs, the evening simulcast host in Illinois throughout the year, has been sent to Signature Bank, so the IHHA’s 50%, plus 0.18% of advance deposit wagering, has been frozen.
Somone also noted that purses from the loss of 14 racing dates thus far this will not be recovered.
“They cut six weeks of pay and now we’re chasing money,” Somone said. “It’s important that Hawthorne keeps jobs but this pales to what has happened to harness horsemen. People are shipping to Ohio, Indiana, and selling horses. We are working with the Department of Agriculture to have a program. The county fairs are now the lifeline—but not really, they are just a way to keep going.”
Regarding Hawthorne honoring its remaining 20 harness dates in November and December, Somone said: “I hope it happens, but I just don’t have any faith.”
Somone also acknowledged that IHHA president Jeff Davis, who has been a strong advocate for Standardbred racing in the state, had resigned the previous day, but he did not discuss it further.
Hawthorne representatives told the IRB the priority is ensuring all horsemen—Standardbred and Thoroughbred—are paid the money owed. The bankruptcy court has authorized $8 million in payments, and they hope to have $16 million after a March 27 court appearance. They indicated they are confident all funds due horsemen will paid by early April. They said by law, Hawthorne had to change banks, an action that will free up money.
They also said they are not offering the property for real estate but for a buyer or partner who will invest in developing the property as a racetrack with a casino, and that a new bank is handling the finances under a trustee.
Hawthorne is currently renovating the track for its Thoroughbred meet, the opening of which is now set for April 19 instead of March 29. Based on reports at the IRB meeting, about 150 Thoroughbreds are on the grounds, far short of the 650 last year. But that’s largely due to the uncertain environment given the bankruptcy filing.
“This could have happened to us. We all sympathize with the harness guys,” said Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Chris Block. “We’re all horsemen—we work our rear-ends off racing horses. Unfortunately, (the Standardbred horsemen) are on the wrong side of this (timing wise).”
After requests from horsemen of both breeds, the IRB, which does not have a meeting scheduled for April, agreed to convene a meeting when necessary after the bankruptcy court decision.