Illinois Derby

The Illinois Derby is held in early April each year. First run in 1923, the Derby takes place at Hawthorne Race Course located in Stickney/Cicero, Illinois, just west of Chicago.

It is a Grade II Stakes race offering a purse of $500,000.

Since 2001, the Illinois Derby has been a prep race to the Kentucky Derby. Prior to that it was run between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. The 2002 Illinois Derby won by War Emblem was the last one run at Sportsman's Park Racetrack.

2004 winner Pollard's Vision was named after Seabiscuit's jockey Red Pollard for his poor vision.

In 1997, at Sportsman's Park, Wild Rush set the record for the fastest time in the Illinois Derby at 1:47.51.