Thoroughbred horse racing is a popular sport in Illinois, with two major racetracks, Hawthorne Race Course and Fairmount Park. Thoroughbred races are held at these tracks from April to October, and there are also several smaller tracks that offer thoroughbred racing.
Thoroughbred horses are bred for speed and endurance, and they are typically raced at distances of one mile or more. The most prestigious thoroughbred race in Illinois is the Arlington Million, which is held at Arlington Park. The Arlington Million is a Grade I stakes race, which means that it is one of the highest-level races in the world.
In addition to the Arlington Million, there are several other major thoroughbred races in Illinois, including the Illinois Derby, the Prairie State Derby, and the Hawthorne Gold Cup. These races attract horses from all over the country, and they are a major economic driver for the state of Illinois.
Thoroughbred horse racing is a popular spectator sport, and it is estimated that over 1 million people attend thoroughbred races in Illinois each year. The sport also generates millions of dollars in revenue for the state, and it supports thousands of jobs.
If you are interested in learning more about thoroughbred horse racing in Illinois, you can visit the websites of the Illinois Department of Agriculture or the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. You can also watch thoroughbred races live on television or online.
