HAWTHORNE REQUESTS TO FOLD UP THE TENT ???

[luker2453]

I've never been to Hawthorne, but I read a interesting book called "Horseplayers, Life At The track" by Ted McClelland. It's a "must read" for any old horseplayers like me. Hawthorne is a big part of the book. The characters he talks about are the same we have all met at racetracks and OTB's around the nation. He talks a lot about Hawthorne and give an honest and frank assessment on racing at Hawthorne years ago. A great read.

Actually, that is a very good read.  I was a frequent customer at Hawthorne in those days.  Hawthorne actually had a pretty good fall t-bred meet at the time.  There would be 4000 or so fans on track on a weekday back then, which today would seem like a full house.  There were some interesting characters that the author alluded to, and I think that I knew most of them.  There was one bettor who was legendary in Chicago, who went by the nickname Mr. X.  He would go to the window and make his wagers nearing Post time, and as soon as he made those bets the mutual clerks would pass them along to everyone down the line.  More often than not the horses he liked would come in, but not pay what he thought he would have.  Fun times.

[Loose Horse]

I don't play that track but ya'll got me curious about post stats, so here are the stats:

For harness, that track plays fairly square with only PP 10 looking not so good:
https://racing.ustrotting.com/reports/haw_postpositionstats.pdf

For T breds, a limited number of starts, so buyer beware:
https://www.equibase.com/premium/statsByPPMeetPDFDownload.cfm?trackID=HAW&beginDate=2025-03-27

[RR70s]

I've never been to Hawthorne, but I read a interesting book called "Horseplayers, Life At The track" by Ted McClelland. It's a "must read" for any old horseplayers like me. Hawthorne is a big part of the book. The characters he talks about are the same we have all met at racetracks and OTB's around the nation. He talks a lot about Hawthorne and give an honest and frank assessment on racing at Hawthorne years ago. A great read.

I need to get that book. The way some people go to every baseball stadium, I’ve probably been to every track. I actually liked Hawthorne, especially when they had day/night doubleheaders.

[Mohawk mac]

I'm real old like Hawthorne so I have many fond memories of their "glory days"  T-breds:  The previous turf course was 6 furlongs with a mile chute like old Vernon Downs.  Valiant Man and Zip Pocket loved it!  I saw Dr Fager win the 10f Gold Cup.  Played hooky from my statistics course at UIC many times to catch the daily double. 

S-breds:  Harness racing started there around 1971.  Every year the Dygert Trot lured the best trotters from across the midwest with an occasional New York invader.  My favorites were China Dragon, Mickie Rodney, Nilmot Ernie and Jubilee Triton.  Steady Star was a super fast pacer but finished second to a horse named Field Diamond when S S broke and spotted the field 20 lengths.  I was part owner of several horses who raced there over the years including a track record holder.

I haven't watched or bet Hawthone for at least 10 years.  But I hope they stick around for the people who still want to race there.

[dougie]

luker2453.....Tha t is so cool that you know some of the folks mentioned in the book. I love the authors description of these folks. I think they are at every track in America. LOL!

[dougie]

RR70's.....you will love the book. Like me, you'll read it on one day! LOL!

[LUCPARK]

In 3-5 yrs. Or less

That property will be sold.  To developers. Just like Arlington park did

[cigar]

In 3-5 yrs. Or less

That property will be sold.  To developers. Just like Arlington park did

You just got a bone with Carey, stop it! Why would anyone want a track to close? It might not be a new a shiny place, but it’s nice to have a track in Chicago still racing. We need a mediation for you with the owner maybe he will let you back in.


Ps Rocco there is a hole in the fence by the Cicero exit you can peak through the crack to watch the races this year!

[Trigger]

Finish him off LUCPARK!     Yeh!   

[LUCPARK]

Finish him off LUCPARK!     Yeh!   

4 yrs ago in super night
I old the track owner off in front of his family his mommy included. He couldn’t handle the truth
My trainer. And  All ihha were there  I didn’t
Hold nothin back   I don’t have to kiss his ass I don’t race there have not had an Illinois bred in 10 yrs
Carey is a piece of shit. I told that to his face

Now I cant come to that dump   I’m banded
My lose

[cigar]

4 yrs ago in super night
I old the track owner off in front of his family his mommy included. He couldn’t handle the truth
My trainer. And  All ihha were there  I didn’t
Hold nothin back   I don’t have to kiss his ass I don’t race there have not had an Illinois bred in 10 yrs
Carey is a piece of shit. I told that to his face

Now I cant come to that dump   I’m banded
My lose

I was there I saw it you ain’t lying. But remember when everyone closed up he stayed open, so you gotta respect the fact that he still has racing. You can’t blame the man for years of bad decisions by others. CN he do more yes but it takes a lot of $$$$$ to do it maybe you should invest in a piece of action?

[Trigger]

Until I saw the sign, I thought it was a correctional facility.

Under entertainment they list, racing.  Under racing, their customers couldn't bet the derby.

I've seen better business men, not falling this bad blow their brains out.

LUCPARK must cry himself to sleep, knowing he'll never see the benefits again of the Hawthorne Platinum membership!   

[JOHN FRANK]

Let JOHN FRANK ARMY tell you 3 useless MORONS again about thee BOOK. IT was a STOLEN FLOP. So GREAT. YA like you uneducated SHITS knew anyone at TRACK. And the fuckin thin was not just HAWTHORNE,it was also ARLINGTON.
Were to one begin. Lets start with FLANNEL BOY, and his always goin to POINT center at the THORNE on double days to see how many points he has accummulated to get a free program. Yeah,CLOCKER sumthin ain't he. He MR.IMPORTANT. TOO. TOO be continued........

[JOHN FRANK]

What you want me to talk about. A lot about SCOTT MC'MANUS. At times on NET I used to bash him. He was a great handicapper. People at ARLINGTON after his day teachin at HARPER COLLEGE,and he would walk in and make a bet at window,idiots would follow to overhear and make same bet. KNOW SCOTT did win some huge bet one time and had the only ticket. And he was mentioned in handicappin books. But I want to say this. SCOTT started doin handicappin seminars and tournaments at all ARLINGTON OTB'S. WE became good friends along with his WIFE. So much so,when I would arrive at a tournament,SCOOT would go on his speaker: JOHN FRANK has arrived. LOVED HIM and HIS WIFE.
But lets get to this SHIT that was devoted way to much in BOOK. This author who be a CLOCKER,who noes nuttin about horse racin,spends his time doin this: Half the book is about some useless DRUNKIN BUM who supposssidly meets a old NUN who left the religion,because she wants to fuc and gamble. That works. Happens every day. And the former NUN can't lose playin the PONIES. That works also, happens every day. And SCOTT suppossidly can't take the husband anymore who married the NUN. Nice plot,HUH.
And lets go back to that nice excursion. So MR.AUTHOR gives a chapter to CLOCK. Say's MAN,no one can find cheaper motels to stay in than this guy. Ain't that correct SRP. And the PEOPLES that you think be great ain't but a couple. And CLOCK BRAIN and his BUD stole my IDEA. Becuse I had been talkin and postin about doin a book about PEOPLES at the TRACK. You got me SRP And I hope you and your bud made 2 cents off of your useless book.

[dougie]

John Frank.....Scott McManus was a big part of the book, "Horseplayers, Life At The Track" By Ted McClelland. A great read!