WGN-TV Chicago will
provide live coverage of the 55th running of the Illinois Derby from
Hawthorne Race Course on Saturday, April 7th from 5:00-6:00pm.
“WGN Sports is excited to have Hawthorne Race Course as a new partner,” said
Marty Wilke, WGN-TV vice president and general manager. “The Illinois
Derby is one of Chicago’s Very Own historic sporting events and we look forward
to showcasing this great race.”
Hosted by WGN Sports’
Dan Roan, coverage will feature the race as well as expert guests from
Hawthorne Race Course. “I firmly believe that horse racing is having a
resurgence in the general market and that a powerhouse station like WGN is
getting behind Illinois' most important race is further evidence of that,"
said Tim Carey, president and general manager of Hawthorne Race Course.
"The Kentucky Derby had its largest attendance ever last year and our
Illinois Derby is the only area prep race for the most famous horserace in the
world. We've sent a dozen contenders to Kentucky in the last 10 years so
if you want to see one of this year's Kentucky Derby horses live, you have to
come to Hawthorne or tune into WGN-TV."
WGN-TV is Chicago’s CW
network affiliate, programming a strong schedule of news, sports and
entertainment, with most WGN Sports telecasts, WGN News and CW programs in high
definition on WGN 9.1. WGN-TV programs more news than any other Chicago
TV station for WGN-TV and cable news channel CLTV in Chicago; Rockford, IL; and
South Bend, IN. WGN 9.2 is Chicago’s home of Tribune Broadcasting’s
classic TV network, Antenna TV. WGN also programs for WGN America on
cable, telco and satellite throughout the U.S. WGN-TV is a Tribune
Broadcasting station. For additional information on Chicago’s Very Own
WGN-TV, go to WGNtv.com.