51st Running of Illinois Derby This Saturday - 04-02-08

April 2 - The Illinois Derby, seen as a significant step towards the Kentucky Derby is due to be run on Saturday the 5th of April at the Hawthorne Race Course which is situated west of Chicago. The Illinois Derby is a Grade II race and is open to horses of 3 years old.

Denis of Cork, undefeated winner of the Southwest Stakes and the Rebel Stakes heads up a stellar field for the $500 000 horse race. Starting from post 5, he is considered the race favorite and will be ridden by Julien Leparoux. Trainer, David Carroll said that Denis of Cork is a ?push-button? kind of horse and they were hoping he?d have a big run in Illinois.

Atoned, who has placed second in his last 4 starts will be trying to break his unlucky streak. He is trained by Todd Pletcher of Dogwood Stable and will be ridden by Joe Bravo breaking from post 4.

Recapturetheglory, trained by Louie Roussel and ridden by Eddie Baird will be making his stakes debut on Saturday. He has won 1 out of 5 career starts and is a horse that likes to lead.

The complete field for the day is as follows:

Post 1 - Recapturetheglory, Eddie Baird

Post 2 - Instill, Chris Emigh

Post 3 - Z Humor, Rene Douglas

Post 4 - Atoned, Joe Bravo

Post 5 ? Denis of Cork, Julien Leparoux

Post 6 - Golden Spikes, Timothy Thornton

Post 7 - Real Appeal, James Graham