Illinois Gaming Plans Would Slice Racing Aid
The latest blueprints for expanding gaming in Illinois appear to scale back dramatically on aid for the racing industry.
Bob Kieckhefer
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Expanded State-Bred Incentives at Arlington
The plan, co-authored by Arlington Park and the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation, includes bonus money, expanded state-bred races, and promotional efforts.
Dispute Threatens Illinois Legislative Agenda
A bitter dispute between harness horsemen and Chicago-area tracks, threatening the industry's crucial legislative agenda, came to a head Feb. 17 with a victory for horsemen before the Illinois Racing Board.
Illinois Horsemen Object to Stake's Inclusion
The Illinois Racing Board approved this year's Chicago-area Thoroughbred stakes schedule Jan. 31 despite strong opposition by horsemen to the continuation of one race.
Illinois Reauthorizes ADW at Last Minute
Acting under a looming deadline, the Illinois legislature Jan. 29 reauthorized advance deposit wagering in the state, staving off a draconian cut in 2014 racing dates.
One Last Hope to Salvage Illinois 2014 Season
Without action during a one-day session on Jan. 29, the Illinois Racing Board will be without funding to regulate a full season of live racing and will implement a doomsday schedule.
Akeed Mofeed Takes HK Cup; Little Mike 9th
Akeed Mofeed, the Hong Kong Derby winner in the spring, worked through a tight spot at mid-stretch to win the Longines Hong Kong Cup (HK-I) from Tokei Halo Dec. 8 at Sha Tin, while American hopeful Little Mike finished ninth.
Glorious Days Closes to Win Hong Kong Mile
Glorious Days, in his first start since June, came running down the middle of the track to win the Longines Hong Kong Mile (HK-I) by three-quarters of a length over Gold-Fun Dec. 8 at Sha Tin.
Lord Kanaloa Impresses in Career Finale
Japan's champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa made it two straight wins in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I), kicking clear at the top of the stretch and drawing off to a five-length win over Irish runner Sole Power.
Dominant Upsets The Fugue in Hong Kong Vase
In the first of four group I turf races Dec, 8 at Sha Tin Racecourse, Dominant posted a surprising win for the locals, taking the Longines Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) with a big move at the top of the stretch to hold off The Fugue.
Hong Kong Runners May Have Trouble This Year
The good news is, the races have become an important fixture at the end of the racing season, attracting many of the world's best turf runners and spotlighting Hong Kong's ambitious racing program.
NY Trainer Hits World Stage in Hong Kong
Jeremiah Englehart isn't exactly a newcomer to the track, having started walking hots at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack almost before he can remember.
U.S. Horses Face Tough Tests in Hong Kong
The two American entries drew reasonably well for the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong International Races, but not without a little drama for King Kreesa in the Hong Kong Mile (HK-I).
Draws Doom U.S. Hopes in HK Jockey Challenge
Australian rider Kerrin McEvoy edged Hong Kong's Zac Purton in the Dec. 4 Longines International Jockeys' Competition as American veterans Gary Stevens and Mike Smith were all but shut out.
No Legislative Action on Illinois ADW Bill
Illinois racing remained on the brink of virtual extinction as the state legislature took no action Dec. 3 on a bill that would have provided funding to run a full 2014 schedule.
IL Racing Gutted Unless Legislature Acts
The Illinois Racing Board approved four alternate schedules Sept. 24 for 2014 racing with legislative action--or inaction--left to determine which one is put into effect.
Illinois Facing Cutbacks in 2014 Racing Dates
The 2014 Illinois live racing schedule likely will be trimmed back significantly as a result of revenue shortfalls, the Illinois Racing Board indicated Sept. 11.
Illinois Board Starts 2014 Dates Deliberation
No decision or recommendation will result from the preliminary hearing, but it will launch deliberations and clear the way for a vote a week later.
Illinois Approves Maywood ADW License
The Illinois Racing Board, over the strong objections of horsemen groups, approved an application from Maywood Park July 25 to act as its own Advance Deposit Wagering licensee.
Illinois Tracks Officially Get Casino Money
The Illinois Racing Board June 25 formally allocated $23 million in casino money to the state's racing interests amid hopes it will bridge a financial gap until a broader gaming expansion bill is approved.
Illinois Makes ADW Legal Again
Advance deposit wagering companies were accepting wagers from Illinois residents June 7.
Illinois Gaming Expansion Comes Up Short
A major expansion of gaming in Illinois, including slot machines for tracks, was sidetracked again as lawmakers deadlocked on several key issues in the final day of their spring session.
First Step Toward Cutbacks in Illinois Racing
The Illinois Racing Board on May 21 took the first, tentative step toward cutting back the state's racing schedule in light of a looming funding shortage and legislative inaction on corrective measures.
Illinois Senate Passes Gaming Expansion Bill
The legislation authorizes slots at the racetracks and five new casinos.
HKJC Official Urges Worldwide Steroid Ban
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities should quickly consider a ban on the use of anabolic steroids for horses in training, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said April 28.
Illinois Gaming Expansion Stalls
Gaming expansion, including authorization for slot machines at racetracks, appears to have been left at the starting gate once again in the Illinois General Assembly.
Illinois Proposal Calls for Slots
After months of bitter political infighting and under the looming threat of a Chicago-area mass transit meltdown, Illinois lawmakers moved close Dec. 10 to a sweeping expansion of gaming that would include authorization for slot machines at racetracks.
HRTV To Provide Live Coverage of John Henry Memorial
HorseRacing TV will present live coverage of the public memorial for the great John Henry from the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Oct. 19, beginning at 2 p.m. (EST), the network announced Oct. 18.
Expanded Gaming Legislation Moving Up in Illinois
Legislation to expand gaming in Illinois remains alive as the legislature nears the scheduled adjournment date for its spring session. House Speaker Michael Madigan upped the ante by announcing Wednesday, May 24, that House Democrats see gaming as the most attractive source of new revenue for the state.
Business Spikes at Arlington Park for Opening Weekend
Arlington Park reported a 25% increase in handle and a healthy jump in attendance for its opening weekend this year.
Hawthorne Chief Calls for Slots at Tracks
Illinois horse racing is mired in a "downward spiral that will require action by state government to save it," Hawthorne Race Course President Tim Carey said as his track prepared to open the 2007 Illinois Thoroughbred season Friday.
Racetrack Slots Has Supporter in Illinois Legislature
An Illinois legislator said he would propose an expansion of gambling that would include racetrack slot machines.
Outside Consultant to Review Arlington Situation
Add the Illinois Racing Board to the list of those who have no idea what caused the recent spate of fatal breakdowns at Arlington Park Racecourse.
Study Inconclusive on Arlington Breakdowns
Add the Illinois Racing Board to the list of those who have little idea what has caused the recent spate of fatal breakdowns of horses at Arlington Park Racecourse.
Illinois Casinos File Suit Over Subsidies to Horse Racing
Some $35 million a year in subsidies promised to the Illinois racing industry in recently passed legislation appears headed for court rather than the tracks. The situation threatens to become a replay of events that derailed an even bigger subsidy approved seven years ago.
Illinois Racing Subsidy Goes to Governor for Approval
The Illinois General Assembly has approved and sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich legislation that would provide as much as $35 million a year in subsidies for Illinois racing--but only for two years.
Track Funding Bill Stalled in Illinois Legislature
With time running out in the spring session, legislation that would divert more than $50 million a year from Illinois riverboat casinos to the horse racing industry has stalled in the state House of Representatives.
Management Shakeup at Hawthorne Race Course
Hawthorne Race Course Tuesday announced a shakeup in management, with one member of the Carey family replacing another at the helm.
Illinois Harness Tracks Impacted by Entry Box Boycott
The Jan. 2 closing-day Thoroughbred program at Hawthorne Race Course may be the last live racing action of any kind in the Chicago area for a while. A dispute over purses has resulted in cancellation of harness racing at Balmoral Park and Maywood Park on the first two days of the New Year.
Illinois Towns to Battle for Riverboat License
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Just days after the Illinois Gaming Board revoked the license of Emerald Casino, one-time rival communities once again are preparing to join a prolonged battle for the lucrative riverboat license.
Illinois Gaming Board Revokes Emerald Casino's License
The Illinois Gaming Board voted unanimously Tuesday to revoke the license of Emerald Casino -- the proposed riverboat gaming palace that once was expected to generate millions of dollars a year to support the state's racing industry.
Proposed Illinois Casino Ban Stalled for 2005
A proposal by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to ban riverboat gambling in Illinois has been dry-docked in the state Senate.
Chicago Suburb Takes Action to Preclude OTB Parlors
Morton Grove, Illinois, a Chicago suburb once considered as the site of an off-track betting parlor, has modified its zoning laws to preclude any future incursions by wagering interests.
Illinois Racing Board Hears Jockeys' Concerns
The Jockeys' Guild got a lot of sympathy but no immediate action from the Illinois Racing Board Tuesday on the issues of medical insurance and the scale of weights.
Illinois Governor Floats Idea of Gaming Expansion
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, after long opposition, has opened the door to the expansion of gaming. But his education-funding proposal doesn't specifically include the new casinos and support for racetracks that would make it politically viable in the state House and Senate.
Illinois Racing Board Amends Rules on Cocaine
The Illinois Racing Board Thursday moved to relax rules governing trace amounts of cocaine found in horses after racing.
Gaming Reform Package on Hold in Illinois
The Illinois legislature adjourned its "overtime" spring session without acting on a package of gaming reforms that could have brought slot machines to racetracks.
Competition Said to Impact Appeal of Arlington Signal
Plagued by bad weather and short fields during the first month of its season, Arlington Park lost ground to racetracks in other states where purses are sweetened by slot machine revenue, Arlington president Cliff Goodrich told the Illinois Racing Board June 10.
Illinois Deadlock a Problem for Racetrack Gaming
The Illinois Legislature missed its midnight May 31 adjournment deadline in a stalemate over the state's budget. The deadlock likely dooms efforts to expand gaming in the state, including slot machines or other revenue-producing plans for Illinois racetracks.
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