BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Report: Illinois Racing Gets Escrow Funding

Roughly $141 million in an escrow account has been freed up for use by the Illinois horse racing industry, according to published reports.

PNGI Has Solid Quarter, Likes Its Chances

Penn National Gaming Inc. reported solid numbers for the second quarter of 2011 and said it expects good things from existing and potential properties despite increased competition.

Help for Illinois Racing? Maybe Yes, Maybe No

In theory, Illinois horse racing should be on the verge of receiving tens of millions of dollars in revenue enhancements after a recent flurry of action by state and federal courts, the state legislature and Gov. Pat Quinn.

Evans: Illinois Slots a 'Two-Edged' Sword

Alternative gaming in Illinois would be good for Arlington Park but could potentially have a negative impact on Kentucky, according to the chairman of Churchill Downs Inc.

Arlington Fund-Raiser for Horse Rescue

Galloping Out Thoroughbred Rescue Fund will hold its annual fund-rasier in the paddock area at Arlington Park following the last race on Saturday, June 25.

Illinois Senate Approves Racetrack Slots Bill

The Illinois Senate May 31 gave final legislative approval to a sweeping expansion of gaming in Illinois, including authorization for slot machines at racetracks.

Illinois Casino Legislation Back in Play

Legislation calling for a huge expansion of legalized gambling in Illinois is headed to the House floor after a similar bill failed earlier in the week of May 22.

Illinois Gaming Bill Fails to Clear Committee

An Illinois House of Representatives committee May 25 failed to approve legislation that would have expanded casino gambling and awarded slot machines to racetracks in the state.

Duchossois: Slots Revenue Would Be Welcome

Arlington Park chairman Richard L. Duchossois said he doesn't know if the racetrack can survive unless the Illinois legislature finally allows Arlington to add slot machines.

Arlington Park Revamps Wagering Format

Arlington Park plans to lower the minimum wager on the Pick 4 and Pick 5 to 50 cents and lower the takeout rate on the Pick 5 and High 5 to 15%.

Midwest/Canada Regional: Tree Top

Rudy and Virginia Tarra hit the heights with Giant Oak

Download Now

Arlington Purses to be Based on Field Sizes

Arlington Park and Illinois horsemen have agreed to tie individual race purses to field size this year in an effort to ensure more bettable races.

Illinois Lawmaker: Racetrack Slots a Priority

Democratic Illinois Rep. Lou Lang reiterated Jan. 15 he intends to push legislation authorizing racetrack slot machines and will begin drafting a bill the week of Jan. 17.

Interests Say They Had Votes for IL Slots

Illinois racing interests say they had enough votes to pass a slots-at-tracks bill this week and some say they were sold out by measure's sponsor in the waning hours of the legislative session.

Back to Drawing Board for IL Racetrack Slots

The Illinois General Assembly adjourned early the morning of Jan. 12 without voting on a massive expansion of gaming that would have permitted the state's racetracks to install a limited number of slot machines.

Beverage Distributor on Old Sportsman's Site

The site of old Sportsman's Park in Illinois will complete a kind of weird full circle with plans to build a new headquarters for Wirtz Beverage Illinois on the suburban Chicago acreage.

Track Slots Bill to Floor of Illinois House

A bill that would dramatically expand Illinois gaming, including permitting slot machines at the state's racetracks, has advanced to the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

Sudberry Named to Arlington Park Position

Veteran television sportscaster Howard Sudberry has been named senior director of marketing and communications at Arlington Park.

Average Daily Wagering Improves at Hawthorne

Management at Hawthorne Race Course attributed improved weather, a schedule change, and larger fields for increased average daily wagering during the fall 2010 meet at the Chicago-area track.

Illinois Senate OKs Gaming Bill; House Next

Illinois senators approved a major expansion of casino gambling, including racetrack slot machines, Dec. 1, but the measure must now pass the House of Representatives and be signed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

Game Redding Colliery Wins Hawthorne Gold Cup

The favorite, he holds off Giant Oak by three-quarters of a length.

Alluvial's First Winner Scores by Four

Royal Alluvial became the first winner by Alluvial when she won by four lengths Sept. 19 at Arlington Park in her initial start.

Hawthorne Cuts Stakes Purses, Race Dates

The Illinois Racing Board approved a request from Hawthorne Race Course to make substantial cuts to its stakes schedule at a meeting Aug. 31.

Rash of Etodolac Positives at Arlington Park

More than a half-dozen horses, including the winner of the Arlington Oaks (gr. III), have tested positive for the anti-inflammatory drug Etodolac in tests following races at Arlington Park.

Five Vie for Favoritism in an Open Beverly D.

Tuscan Evening's sad demise earlier this month has left the $750,000 Beverly D. devoid of any obvious favorite on Arlington Million day Aug. 21 at Arlington Park.

Gio Ponti Seeks Arlington Million Repeat

Gio Ponti, who captured last summer's Arlington Million (gr. IT) as the favorite, looms as an even stronger 7-5 choice on the morning line when facing nine rivals in the 28th running of the Aug. 21 race.

ADW Fee Cap Impacting Illinois Racing

A 5% cap imposed by the Illinois Racing Board on account wagering fees charged by out-of-state racetracks to send their signals to customers in Illinois has led to a significant downturn in wagering from those sources.

IL Horsemen, Tracks to Assist Retired Horses

The Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association, Arlington Park, and Hawthorne Race Course have agreed to cooperate in a program to provide for the care of retired Thoroughbred racehorses.

Graded Winner Scooter Roach Retired

Scooter Roach, one of Illinois' most successful state-breds, was retired from racing and sent to the Illinois Equine Humane Center (ILEHC) near Elgin, Ill.

Slot Legislation Push On Again in Illinois

Arlington Park president says the track will go out of business without slots.

Hawthorne Touts Illinois Racetrack Slots Plan

Hawthorne Race Course is touting legislation that would authorize slot machines at Illinois racetracks.

Arlington Incentives for Festival Races

Arlington Park is offering a free pass to its biggest races for the winners of key European events - the latest in a long series of efforts to bolster the "international" part of the "International Festival of Racing."

Officials Reflect on Illinois Racing Woes

Following a deal that ended a labor dispute between the Illinois Racing Board and state employees and restored Fairmount Park's 52 race dates for 2010, two horse racing officials reflected on the aftermath of the situation.

Arlington Million Pushed Back Two Weeks

The Arlington Million (gr. IT) will be run two weeks later than it has been in recent years. Held in early August since 2004, the Million is scheduled for Aug. 21 this year.

Fairmount Park to Race Only Three Days

The Illinois Racing Board decided late Jan. 5 that Fairmount Park will race only three days in 2010 because of a dispute with union employees.

Cashel Castle to Hill 'N Dale in Illinois

Graded stakes winner Cashel Castle has been relocated to Richard Duchossois' Hill 'N Dale Farm near Barrington, Ill.

Winter Weather Cancels Hawthorne Dec. 9-10

With snow and high winds in the forecast, Hawthorne Race Course will shut down for two days.

Illinois Tracks Make Another Push for Slots

With the Illinois state budget in a shambles and a video gaming in bars and restaurants going nowhere as a solution, racetracks again are urging lawmakers to allow them to install slot machines.

Fort Prado to Hill 'N Dale in Illinois

Fort Prado, an eight-time Illinois champion, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Richard Duchossois' Hill 'N Dale Farms near Barrington, Ill.

Monat to Serve on Illinois Racing Board

Governor Pat Quinn Nov. 9 announced the appointment of Allan Monat to serve as a commissioner of the Illinois Racing Board.

Hawthorne Set for Night Racing Experiment

Thoroughbred races have been held under the lights at Hawthorne Race Course in the late fall and winter as daylight diminishes, but for the first time, the Chicago-area track will offer night racing.

Illinois OKs 252 Thoroughbred Dates for 2010

The Illinois Racing Board has approved 439 racing days in the state for 2010, it was announced Sept. 24. The total, which includes 91 live programs at Arlington Park and 109 at Hawthorne Race Course, is the least amount the board has ever issued.

Illinois Gov. Signs Online Wagering Bill

Illinois gambling patrons in Illinois will now have the opportunity of placing their bets online, as Gov. Pat Quinn approved a bill Aug. 26 legalizing online wagering on horse racing.

TV, Radio Coverage of 'Million' Program Set

HRTV will broadcast the grade I Arlington Million and two other grade I stakes as part of the Aug. 8 program at Arlington Park in Illinois, while the Horse Racing Radio Network will offer a two-hour broadcast from the track.

Fairmount Slashes 18 Days From Its Meet

Because a supply of equity fund money belonging to Fairmount Park is still being held in escrow, the Collinsville, Ill., track will end its 2009 meeting 18 days earlier than planned.

Illinois Tracks Submit Dates Requests

Racetracks in Illinois submitted their 2010 racing dates request July 31 with the state's racing board. Between Arlington Park, Hawthorne Race Course, and Fairmont Park, a total of 420 racing programs were requested.

Douglas Update: Spirits High, Progress Slow

Rene Douglas, who was seriously injured in a May 23 riding mishap at Arlington Park in Illinois, continues to undergo rehabilitation following his injury.

First Winner for Western Outlaw

Western Outlaw sired his first winner when his son Lone Star Cowboy scored June 12 at Lone Star Park.

Douglas' Wife: Too Soon to Assess Condition

The wife of injured jockey Rene Douglas said May 28 it's too early to say her husband won't regain use of his legs.

Theriot Appeals 30-Day Illinois Suspension

Jamie Theriot has appealed the 30-day suspension levied on him by the Illinois Racing Board for his involvement in the May 23 racing accident that caused severe injury to Rene Douglas, Theriot's agent, Fred Aime, said May 27.