Winner likely headed to Churchill

From Hawthorne Race Course to Churchill Downs, it's a dream-diminishing stretch run of about 300 miles.

The last seven winners of the Illinois Derby have made that trek. All saddle-pocketed the $300,000 first prize in Cicero/Stickney to jump into the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby.

One -- the controversy-shrouded War Emblem (2002) -- even traversed the Gallop from the Gulag at the old Sportsman's Park to win the fabled Run for the Roses in Louisville.

Saturday at Hawthorne, a field of 10 or 11 will answer the starter's call for the 52nd renewal of the $500,000 local classic. Once again, the winner's next stop likely will be America's most fabled …