Race Tracks in Illinois

The State of Illinois has been involved in horse racing for over 120 years. Illinois takes pride in its three race tracks to the point that the Illinois Department of Agriculture actually has a page dedicated to the state’s three racing venues: Arlington Park, Fairmount Park and Hawthorne Race Course. The state has produced a Kentucky Derby winner, Dust Commander in 1970, and Arlington Park was the site for the 2002 Breeders’ Cup.

Illinois' Big Horse Race Tracks

Illinois boasts three racetracks all of which are unique. See below for information on Arlington Park, Fairmount Park and Hawthorne Race Course.

Arlington Park

Illinois’ top track is Arlington Park. The internationally flavored Arlington Million, one of the most popular turf races in the world, has helped the race track become one of the premier venues in North America.

Fairmount Park

Fairmount Park in Collinsville, IL runs live racing through the spring and summer. A great advantage for Fairmount is that many of those days are Tuesdays, a usually dark day for most race tracks.

Hawthorne Race Course

Hawthorne opened its doors in 1891, making it one of the oldest race tracks in the United States. Illinois’ signature race for three-year-olds, the Illinois Derby, is run at Hawthorne.