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Of all the decision attached to the revamping of the qualifying process for the Kentucky Derby, none received quite the criticism as the removal of the Illinois Derby as a prep race on the road to Louisville. A race that's produced War Emblem, Pollard's Vision, Sweetnorthernsaint in the last decade, was instantly relegated to the sidelines in determining the field for the Kentucky Derby. But what's done is done and the 2013 Illinois Derby moves on with a fantastic field of 14 entered for Saturday's race at Hawthorne (Post Time: 6:15 pm Eastern).
Departing, the 7/2 morning line favorite, leads this yea's Illinois Derby field following a good third place finish in the Lousiana Derby last month at the Fair Grounds. The Al Stall trainee didn't get the best of trips down in New Orleans and he'll have to deal with a wide post position at Hawthorne in this race, but if he can come up with a top winning effort in this spot he could be a major contender at Pimlico for this year's Preakness.
Below are the entries, post positions and morning line odds for Saturday's Illinois Derby.
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML |
| 1 | Belles Big Bernie | T. Thorton | S. Mullins | 20/1 |
| 2 | Dewey Square | C. Lanerie | D. Romans | 8/1 |
| 3 | Street Spice | J. Sanchez | G. Geier | 20/1 |
| 4 | For Greater Glory | S. Bridgmohan | S. Hobby | 15/1 |
| 5 | Ground Transport | M. Guidry | M. Stidham | 8/1 |
| 6 | Taken by the Storm | A. Garcia | K. McPeek | 15/1 |
| 7 | Dakota Mac | S. Martinez | H. Robertson | 30/1 |
| 8 | Abraham | J. Castellano | T. Pletcher | 8/1 |
| 9 | Show Some Magic | M. Mena | H. Dominguez | 6/1 |
| 10 | Fordubai | D. Sanchez | G. Geier | 20/1 |
| 11 | Stormin Monarcho | F. Geroux | J. Berndt | 15/1 |
| 12 | Siete de Oros | A. Arroyo | R. Preciado | 5/1 |
| 13 | Departing | B. Hernandez, Jr. | A. Stall | 7/2 |
| 14 | Narvaez | P. Lopez | A. Bazara | 20/1 |
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