by Jim Miller, for Hawthorne Racecourse

Stickney, IL — Stall applications for the 2017 summer harness meet at Hawthorne Race Course are now available. The five month summer season begins Thursday (May 11) and will race through Sunday (Sept. 24).

Horsemen that raced at Hawthorne in 2016 will have stall applications mailed to them but can also access the application through the Hawthorne website under the Horsemen section. Stall applications are due no later than April 1 as stalls will be allotted by April 15.

Harness Racing Secretary Robin Schadt has put together an expanded list of conditions that will allow for horses racing at all levels to be competitive. Additionally, purses for 2017 will be increased 30-40 percent across the board. Click here for a full list of conditions and purses for 2017.

In addition to the increase in purses, Illinois conceived and foaled horses will race for some added bonuses in 2017. For those conditions restricted to Illinois-bred horses, the purse will be increased 10 percent off the purse for an open condition. Illinois-bred horses will also receive a 50 percent allowance when racing with open horses. This will allow Illinois-bred horses to be more competitive against open company at all conditioned levels.

Hawthorne Race Course, located in Stickney, Ill., at 3501 S. Laramie Ave. is open for simulcasting day and night. For information on racing and events at Hawthorne, visit the website at www.HawthorneRaceCourse.com or call 708.780.3700.