Chicago is a city that is mad about its sports, whether it be American Football, ice hockey, or basketball.
However, it is also a city that is passionate about horse racing action, with many visitors typically taking in a day at the track to see the best equine stars in North America.
Options among visitors have been restricted in recent years following the closure of Arlington Park, but Hawthorne remains in operation, and both Churchill Downs and Keeneland are drivable from downtown Chicago. You can find out more about the tracks located near Chicago here.
Hawthorne Race Course
The closest operational racetrack to Chicago is Hawthorne, which is located in Stickney, Illinois. This course has been open since 1891, and it is the oldest continually family-owned course in North America.
It is a hugely popular course amongst visitors, as it was ranked in the top ten by the Horseplayers Association of North America in 2009. Hawthorne boasts a deep history, with the track burning down in 1902, before racing was banned in 1905 leading to the closure of the course.
However, popularity increased in the 1920s, with the 13-day meet expanded to 25 days in 1923. Some of the biggest races in the region were run at Hawthorne between 1986 and 1988 following the fire at Arlington.
But, in this modern day, only three graded races are staged at the track. The most prestigious of those comes in the form of the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap, which is run over 1 ¼ miles and boasts a purse of $250,000.
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Arlington Park
One of the saddest stories when it comes to horse racing in the region revolves around Arlington Park. The course was one of the most beloved in the region, but it was closed down permanently in 2023 following the decision to build the new home stadium of the Chicago Bears on the grounds.
Arlington was at the heart of the racing boom in Chicago in the 1900s, and during this time, the city boasted more racecourses than any other state in the United States. Arlington was officially opened in 1927, with the opening race day attracting a packed attendance of 20,000.
It was regarded as one of the best tracks in North America throughout the 1900s, with historic moments including the first start of Citation following his Triple Crown win, and Eddie Arcaro reaching 3,000 winners.
History would be made in 2002 when Arlington hosted the Breeders’ Cup, and three of the standout Grade Ones of the season would be staged at the track. The most notable of these was the Arlington Million Stakes. The turf race offered an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and it was won by legendary horses such as Bricks And Mortar, Little Mike, and The Pizza Man before moving to Colonel Downs.
Churchill Downs
Due to the closure of many of the leading tracks in Chicago, fans of the sport typically need to travel further afield to watch high quality action these days. However, fortunately, Churchill Downs is located just four hours drive away from downtown Chicago.
Churchill Downs is one of the most famous racecourses in the world, and is revered for hosting the Kentucky Derby. The track was opened in 1875, and was named in honor of Samuel Churchill, whose family was prominent in the Kentucky region for generations.
Churchill Downs can host up to 170,000 fans on course, and it is ranked number five on the Horseplayers Association of North America rating system. The track has hosted the Breeders’ Cup on nine occasions, with the most recent of those coming in 2018.
However, the most famous race day on the calendar remains the Kentucky Derby. The opening leg of the Triple Crown was first staged in 1875, and it has attracted star-studded fields throughout history. A total purse of $1.5 million is up for grabs in the race, but an esteemed place in the history books is the main goal for those that run.
Keeneland
As mentioned previously, the closure of local tracks means that racing fans must travel to see the best horses in this modern day, and Keeneland is located just five hours away from Chicago.
Keeneland is regarded as the best racecourse in North America, and boasts a wealth of history that can be embraced. As well as this, the Keeneland Sales complex is one of the most prestigious in the world. Since 1986, it has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, and racing at the course has been staged since 1936.
Key Grade Ones such as the Ashland Stakes, Breeders’ Futurity Stakes, and the Blue Grass Stakes are run at the Lexington track annually. Overall, the 15-day spring meet is one of the richest in North America, with a further six Grade Ones also staged during the 17-day fall meet.
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