Jim Miller, the racing director at Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago, tried to stay impartial. But when Illinois-based racehorse Two Phil’s turned the final corner at Churchill Downs with a shot at winning the Kentucky Derby on May 6, Miller couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment, jumping in front of the TV in excitement.
In the end, Mage narrowly beat Two Phil’s in the race. Right after the competition, Larry Rivelli, the trainer of Two Phil’s, texted Miller with a message that included a four-letter swear word in all caps and the words “so close.”
Still, coming in second place in the Derby and winning a $600,000 prize was a significant achievement for Two Phil, as it boosted his career earnings to over $1.2 million and provided a much-needed boost for the struggling Illinois horse racing industry.
Miller expressed deep gratitude for Two Phil’s performance at the Derby, stating that it was incredibly meaningful to him. He highlighted the significant changes in the Illinois racing industry over the past two decades, including the reduction from five racetracks to just Hawthorne in upstate Illinois. Miller also mentioned that War Emblem was the last Illinois horse to win both the Illinois Derby and the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 2002. The most recent locally-connected horse to achieve success was Recapture The Glory in 2008, who won the Illinois Derby and placed fifth in the Kentucky Derby under Louie Roussel.
Derby runner-up is based at Hawthorne
Two horses named Phil, owned by Illinois residents and trained by Rivelli, a third-generation Chicago horse trainer, brought joy to the Illinois horse racing community as they await the opening of a casino at Hawthorne Race Course.
Miller stated that the Chicago media welcomed the hometown connections and the horse stables at Hawthorne.
Receiving recognition is important, and we are grateful when someone chooses our racetrack for training because they appreciate the surface and its safety. It is an honor for us at Hawthorne to be considered an ideal place for preparation and fitness.
No Preakness for Two Phil’s
Rivelli, a well-known trainer in Illinois with a stable of 70 horses at Hawthorne, made the decision not to enter Two Phil’s in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore this Saturday.
Miller explained that even if Two Phil’s had won the Derby and continued to be in the running for the Triple Crown, Rivelli would probably choose not to enter the horse in the Preakness due to the brief two-week time span between races.
Mille shared Larry’s post-race comments, where he found a positive aspect in coming in second place as it lessened the expectation for him to skip the Preakness. Larry hinted that he probably would have skipped the Preakness anyway. Mille stressed, “The pressure is immense.”
Greater glory may await for Illinois’ top Thoroughbred
Miller said that Rivelli has not dismissed the idea of participating in the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown, scheduled for June 10th.
Miller mentioned that Rivelli is contemplating entering The Belmont, but he is renowned for placing the readiness of the racehorse first and letting it determine the timing of its participation. Miller also noted the growing number of races available throughout the year, providing more choices and reducing the pressure to rush. He highlighted prestigious races like the Travers, Haskell, West Virginia Derby, and million-dollar races at Parx for 3-year-olds.
He said that if everything goes as planned, there is a possibility of competing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic as a reward, as long as you can handle the mile and a quarter distance. Therefore, with the horse’s well-being and a solid strategy in mind, this would be the ultimate objective if everything aligns correctly.
The prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic is scheduled to be held at Santa Anita in California on November 4th.
Where you can bet on the Preakness in Illinois
In Illinois, there are many ways to bet on the Preakness, including the recently approved FanDuel Racing app, which is now legal to use in the state.
You can also bet:
- There are two live racetracks in Illinois, Hawthorne Race Course and FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing near St. Louis, both of which provide on-site betting options.
- There are multiple legal online racebooks, including TVG, Club Hawthorne, NYRA Bets, TwinSpires, and XpressBet, that are happy to accept bets from Illinois gamblers online.
- OTBs, short for Off-Track Betting, are betting parlors located throughout different cities in Illinois.
Miller explained that Hawthorne has deliberately chosen not to host its own live card this Saturday in order to focus on the Preakness.
Miller mentioned that reservations are available at all of their locations, including Hawthorne and off-track betting sites. They also offer the option to place early bird wagers a day in advance to help customers save time. In addition to betting, the off-track betting locations are partnered with restaurants, allowing patrons to enjoy a meal and drinks while watching the races. Miller noted that they have been particularly busy during events like the Derby and expect a similar crowd for the upcoming Preakness.
Two Phil’s has quickly become a Chicago star
Miller stated that Two Phil’s has achieved local stardom as a result of its location in Hawthorne.
Miller emphasized the importance of small details in the age of social media. He shared an example of posting a video on Twitter of [Two Phil’s] boarding the van, which quickly gained thousands of views. Unlike a horse that finished 14th in the Derby, [Two Phil’s] came in second, sparking interest in his training schedule. Fans now enjoy watching him jog on the racetrack, noting that he is typically one of the last horses to leave each day.
One day, he simply jogged a mile with the pony and then galloped a mile around the racetrack. Spectators gathered at the back fence to admire the impressive performance of the racehorse, recognizing him as a legitimate contender. These moments are truly remarkable and bring a sense of pride to Hawthorne. While we may not be Arlington Park, we fully embrace our unique identity. The fact that he chooses to train, stable, and potentially race here greatly enhances our reputation as he prepares for the upcoming year.
Hawthorne has been taking advantage of the spotlight
Hawthorne has gained advantages from the exposure.
In late 2021, Churchill Downs Incorporated closed Arlington Park, and by the end of the following year, the Chicago Bears acquired the property with intentions to build a new stadium on the site.
Following the closure of Arlington, Hawthorne became the only racetrack remaining in Chicago. Since then, Hawthorne has been working to uphold both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing in the city, with both breeds now sharing the track.
Miller explained that they are currently working on finding the best racing schedule, which is proving difficult as they are working with two different breeds.
Betting up 30% at Hawthorne
Nevertheless, there have been some positive signs.
Miller pointed out that Derby experienced an unprecedented number of attendees, indicating a high level of interest and involvement in horse racing. He suggested that this surge in popularity may be linked to the rise of sports betting, particularly as horse racing was one of the first sports to resume in Illinois during the pandemic. As a result, many individuals turned to horse racing as a new form of entertainment and have continued to actively participate in the sport.
The number of followers for our live meet has grown by around 30%, which is a great sign.
Miller noted that there is a noticeable increase in horse betting due to the overflow from Illinois sports betting, according to Hawthorne.
Miller stated that individuals are betting on sports, specifically the NFL. With a three-hour football game, they can place bets on multiple races during that time frame, making it quite advantageous. He also mentioned that the legalization of sports betting has been beneficial.
Hawthorne’s partnership with PointsBet is currently in place, but there may be changes in the near future. Fanatics recently revealed their intention to purchase PointsBet’s US operations for $150 million, potentially altering the current relationship between Hawthorne and PointsBet.
Miller expressed confidence in the financial strength of the sports betting industry in Illinois, regardless of the status of Hawthorne’s sportsbook partner. He stated that he has no significant concerns and highlighted the successful integration of sports betting and horse racing at Hawthorne.
