Chicago, IL – The Illinois Racing Board on July 31 received three applications for 2024 racing dates—two from Hawthorne Race Course for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing and one from FanDuel Sportsbook and Racing (the former Fairmount Park) for Thoroughbred racing.

Hawthorne applied for 85 Thoroughbred dates from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 and, operating as Suburban Downs, applied for 51 harness racing programs from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. FanDuel applied for 150 programs from March 5 through Nov. 21.

The requests are basically placeholders for dates, which resemble requests for 2023 dates. The final schedules, after discussions, will be known in September.

“IRB staff will review the applications for any deficiencies,” the IRB said. “Applicants will be able to amend their applications to address any deficiencies and provide clarification on requested live race dates, if needed, in accordance with the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975. The Racing Board will consider the applications at the Sept. 21, 2023 dates hearing.