For the first time since 2014, Hawthorne will host the Showtime Deb Stakes: a six-furlong sprint for Illinois-bred juvenile fillies.

The race fills an important gap in the Illinois-bred stakes program, one that has existed since the Showtime Deb and the Sun Power (its colts’ and geldings’ complement, which will be revived next week) dropped off the stakes’ schedule: without them, there was no sprint stakes race for Illinois-bred two-year-olds.  For Illinois-bred juveniles who are bred to do their best at one turn, or who still need to develop before showing their best at two, this gives them an opportunity to show their best against the best of their class.

Head over to Picks and Ponderings, read my preview of the Showtime Deb Stakes, and let me know your thoughts in the comments!