On Saturday afternoon at Hawthorne Race Course, Recapturetheglory dismissed at odds of more than 15-1, led start to finish and emerged victorious in the 51st running of the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II), one of the 2008 Kentucky Derby prep races. At the wire, Recapturetheglory was four lengths clear of Golden Spikes, Z Humor was third.

Denis of Cork, the even money favorite and one of the leading 2008 Kentucky Derby horses, was looking for this fourth win without a defeat but became a soundly beaten fifth.

Trained by Louie Roussel III and co-owned with Ronald Lemarque, Recapturetheglory is named in honor of the glorious campaign of their 1988 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes winner, Risen Star.

Recapturetheglory returned $33.80 to win, $15.60 to place and $10.00 to show. Golden Spikes paid $6.80 and $5.40. Z Humor returned $4.80.

The undefeated Denis of Cork was installed the morning line 2-1 favorite, and will head a field of seven three-year-olds, for the 51st running of the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II), this Saturday, April 5 at Hawthorne Race Course.

Denis of Cork has not raced since improving his lifetime record to a perfect three-for-three, after a convincing win on February 18, in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park. His owners Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren of Tulsa and trainer David Carroll opted to bypass the Rebel Stakes in favor of a single prep leading to the 2008 Kentucky Derby, and that prep lands the son of Harlan’s Holiday in Chicago.

Atoned figures to offer Denis of Cork the most serious challenge. Atoned comes off a hard fought neck loss to Big Truck in the Tampa Bay Derby, making it four consecutive second place finishes, all in stakes competition. Todd Pletcher trains the son of Repent, for Dogwood Stables.

Entries for Hawthorne Race Course’s 51st running of the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II), one of the major 2008 Kentucky Derby prep races, for three-year-olds won’t be drawn until Monday, March 31, but from the looks of the nominations, it is shaping into a deep and competitive field with many of the nation’s top trainers and horses participating.

Certainly a horseman like Eclipse award winning trainer Todd Pletcher has the Illinois Derby on his national radar. Pletcher won this race last year with Cowtown Cat and this year it is likely that Atoned will represent the powerful Pletcher stable. Horse trainer Pletcher has also nominated three other colts, and it is possible that recent allowance winner, Spurrier, will be entered as well.

As for Atoned, this son of Repent comes off of two narrow losses in both the Grade 2, Remsen, where he was beaten a neck by Court Vision, (Illinois Derby nominee) and in the Grade 3, Tampa Bay Derby, when Big Truck (Illinois Derby nominee) also necked out Atoned in a thrilling stretch duel.

Hawthorne Race Course announced its 2008 stakes schedule after final approval from the Illinois Racing Board. Both the Spring and Fall meets are included.
The spring season, which commences on Friday, March 7, will as usual be highlighted by the $500,000 Grade II Illinois Derby to be contested on Saturday, April 5.
2007 Illinois Derby winner Cowtown [...]

CICERO, Ill. (AP) – Cause to Believe will race outside California for the second time in his career, heading a 10-horse field entered Tuesday in the $500,000 Illinois Derby. The 3-year-old gray colt was installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite, with Sweetnorthernsaint the second choice at 4-1 for Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile race at Hawthorne Race Course.Also entered were 5-1 choices Racketeer and My Golden Song.

2006 Triple Crown fever is on at HorsesWild - a leading horse racing portal which touts itself as a Free Horse Racing Tips service and well known for it’s live horse racing handicappingsessions and dicussions on horse betting strategies and horse racing systems.
$1650 Triple Crown 2006 Free Handicapping Contest [...]