IRB Approves 63 Race Days at Hawthorne in 2026
The Illinois Racing Board on Thursday approved the 2026 thoroughbred racing schedule at Hawthorne Race Course.
Specifically, the IRB approved 63 days of live thoroughbred racing between Sunday, March 29 and Sunday, Nov. 1.
“While the purse structure at Hawthorne will remain woefully inadequate, the schedule provides much needed stability for Chicago area horsemen and horsewomen in 2026,” said ITHA President Chris Block.
Block noted that Hawthorne officials testified on Thursday that they now intend to finalize a casino deal by the end of December 2025. “After six years of promises and delays, we certainly hope that Hawthorne will finally break ground on their casino to support our sport and industry,” he said.
