Hinsdale, IL – Live racing at Hawthorne Race Course for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 10-11, will not be held, according to the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association.
The IHHA released the following statement: “Hawthorne racetrack and the IHHA have mutually agreed that during this difficult situation it would be best to vacate our races this weekend. These postponed days will be made up going forward. We are hopeful this issue will be resolved soon.”
The first scheduled days of the 2026 meet, Jan. 3-4, also were not conducted after the Illinois Racing Board revealed that Hawthorne failed to meet legal requirements that included the filing of a bond with the IRB. The IRB subsequently renewed Hawthorne’s licenses and cleared the track to race after the necessary conditions were met.
The Suburban Downs meet is scheduled to run through Feb. 23 with racing twice a week.
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association in a release said it did not have additional details. It said Hawthorne’s financial condition “presents an emergency for our industry” and called for Hawthorne to publicly address the matter. The Thoroughbred meet is scheduled to begin in late March.
“We urge the Illinois Racing Board to promptly offer guidance: What is the exact nature of Hawthorne’s financial condition? Does Hawthorne have the financial ability to host live racing throughout this calendar year, consistent with the schedule in the IRB’s dates order? What steps may be taken to ensure the continuation of live racing at Hawthorne, the only remaining track in northern Illinois, and resulting work opportunities for the numerous individuals in our industry who depend on live racing?,” the ITHA said.