Harness racing action will heat things up at Hawthorne Race Course starting this Friday (January 5).
Despite a stretch of record-breaking cold in which temperatures have struggled to get into the single digits during daylight hours, a track crew of more than 100 has worked tirelessly to move over 11,000 tons of sand, level everything to perfection, and remove the safety rail to have things ready for the Friday opener, which will get underway at 7:05 p.m.
The upcoming winter meet will consist of 27 nights of racing with the opening two weeks taking place on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday schedule. After that, racing will be conducted on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule through February 18. A special Monday night of racing will be presented on Presidents Day, February 19, to close out the winter proceedings. There will be no live racing on Super Bowl Sunday, February 4, but the trotters and pacers will be in action on Monday, February 5, instead.
There will be a variety of giveaways and contests during the winter meet, starting with a well-timed Knit Hat giveaway on Saturday, January 6. The popular Hawthorne Gold Cup Dining Room will open every Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. for those wishing to enjoy a great meal while viewing the races from a comfortable climate-controlled seat right on the finish line. Fan-Friendly Fridays will also return with a $500 cash-back giveaway plus food and drink specials.
On the track, the driving colony will be as strong as ever, with last year’s top reinsmen Casey Leonard and Mike Oosting leading the way. They will be joined by past regulars the likes of Todd Warren and Sam Widger, who are both returning from Hoosier Park, as well as newcomer Brandon Bates, who enjoyed his biggest year to date in 2017 while campaigning at Hoosier. Ryan Anderson will begin the meet just three visits to the winner’s circle away from reaching the prestigious 3,000 win mark in his career.
The racing action should be very competitive as well, as three claiming series have attracted horses from various tracks throughout the U.S. and 11 different conditioned series having drawn both state-bred and open pacers and trotters from throughout the Midwest.
Once again, post time each night during the winter meet will be at 7:05 p.m. For a complete 2018 racing schedule or any other information, please visit hawthorneracecourse.com.
(Hawthorne Race Course)