by Tom Kelley, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — The 2016 Illinois conceived and foaled stakes schedule has been announced by Hawthorne Race Course and the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Payments are due for the 3-year-olds by March 15 while those looking to stake 2-year-olds will have until April 15 to get their payments in.

In a change from previous years the 3-year-olds will have a single payment of $1,750 due while the 2-year-olds will have a single payment of $1,250 due.

The single staking payment will keep horses eligible to all four legs of the stakes series and the final or consolation.

The top 10 highest point earners in the four legs will make the finals which will be contested on Hawthorne’s Night of Champions which is scheduled for Saturday (Sept. 10). The consolations are scheduled for Sunday (Sept. 11).

Please make nominating checks payable to: Hawthorne Race Course, c/o Horseman’s Bookeeper, 3501 S. Laramie Ave., Cicero, IL 60804.

A complete list of the dates for the legs of the stakes can be found here and a nomination form can be found here.