- Home
- DRF Bets
- Handicapping & PPsHorsemen's ProductsReports
- The Wizard
- DRF Gameplan
- Quick Sheets
- DRF Picks
- Today's Racing Digest
- Key Race Report
- Positive ROI Report
- Moss Pace Figure Reports
- Debut Reports
- BreezeFigs
Access past performances- DRF EasyForm PPs
- DRF Classic PDF PPs
- DRF Formulator PPs
- DRF HarnessEye PPs
- DRF Daily Harness Program PPs
- Daily Racing Program PPs
Racing and Wagering InformationToolsHorse Racing Links- Race Tracks
- Casinos
- Account Wagering
- Breeding
- Racing and Charitable
- Contests/Games
- Regional/Free
- Radio Shows
Get the most out of
DRF's online PPs with
Learn more. - Entries
- Results
- NewsCategoriesTrack ReportsTriple Crown Special Events
Exclusive content available only with a DRF Plus Plan. See Plan Pricing. - Blogs
- Video
- Learn
- StorePast Performances
- Compare all DRF PPs
- DRF Formulator PPs
- DRF Classic PPs
- DRF EasyForm PPs
- Daily Racing Program PPs
- See all Pricing/Plans
REPORTS PICKS Harness PPs - Events
- Breeding
Email
STICKNEY, Ill. - The purse for the April 9 Illinois Derby has been raised to $300,000 from $250,000, host track Hawthorne Race Course announced Wednesday. The purse increase was made possible by Television Games Network, the Illinois Derby sponsor, according a news release disseminated by Hawthorne.
The Illinois Derby, a Grade 3, was originally to offer a $500,000 purse, but that amount was halved before the Hawthorne spring meet began because of general weakness in the purse account.
The additional funds could help attract horses that need more graded-stakes earnings to potentially qualify for the Kentucky Derby. The 20-horse Derby field is determined by earnings in graded stakes races.
As of Thursday, Hawthorne stakes coordinator Debbie Lindsay said four horses – Lagoon of Diamonds, Joe Vann, Smarter than Ever, and Sour – were considered probable starters for the 1 1/8-mile race. The connections of Toby’s Corner, Watch Me Go, and Economic Summit are said to be considering the race, entries for which will be taken Wednesday.
Best Bets
SWEET MARINI should win this sprint for California N1X fillies and mares at a short price. The lightly raced gray ran super one month ago in a two-turn stakes; she set all the pace but was collared in deep stretch. It was just her third start, and her first around two turns. Now she shortens in distance, drops in class, and can be gone late at odds-on. ZUZU'S PETALS came out firing in her debut, winning a by a length and a half over a filly (Tribal Chatter) that returned Thursday to win a maiden race.
