Hawthorne Harness: 2021 meet kicks off on Friday night

On Friday, May 7, Standardbreds will return to the track at Hawthorne Race Course for a summer of live harness racing. "Chicago's hometown track" will host racing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night beginning at 7 p.m. Capacity is currently limited to 50 percent, but now includes expanded outdoor seating in the new First Turn Terrace.

"There's a lot of pent-up demand for live sports entertainment, and with harness racing you can get so close to the action," said Tim Carey, president and general manager of Hawthorne Race Course. "The view from the new First Turn Terrace is amazing because the horses are coming right at you and then go spinning away through the turn."

Founded in 1891, Hawthorne is celebrating its 130th year of live racing. Harness racing first debuted at Hawthorne in 1970, and the track is now the only one in the United States to host both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses. Hawthorne features the longest homestretch in North America for harness racing, allowing drivers and horses to rally late in come-from-behind victories.

--press release (Hawthorne)--