The highlight of Hawthorne Race Course's meet is the $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II), a race that produced the 2002 Kentucky Derby winner War Emblem and the 2006 favorite, Sweetnorthernsaint. This year a solid field of seven goes to the post for the 1 1/8 mile race.

The favorite will undoubtedly be Denis of Cork, the undefeated colt who has been preparing for this event since capturing the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn in February, his third victory in three starts. Julien Leparoux will ride the son of Harlan's Holiday for the first time for trainer David Carroll.

Atoned should run a big race for Todd Pletcher. Second by a neck to Big Truck in the Tampa Bay Derby, his previous effort was a second place finish to Court Vision in the Remsen Stakes in November, also a neck loss. Jockey Joe Bravo will pilot the son of Repent on Saturday.

Z Humor is attempting to reclaim his spot as a top Derby contender. One of the early race favorites after a dead heat win in the Delta Jackpot last year, he has since finished 5th in the Sam F Davis and 4th in the Fountain of Youth. Bill Mott trains and Rene Douglass will ride. Z Humor already has the earnings, but needs to improve drastically off his recent form.

Real Appeal is the wise guy selection in this race. Tom Amoss trains the winner of the Texas Heritage Stakes in March, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last year before finishing fourth in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

Late Triple Crown nominee Recapturetheglory, whose only win came at Hawthorne in September; Hawthorne Futurity winner Instill, and the well bred Golden Spikes complete the field.