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.
Bob Kieckhefer
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.
Governor, Attorney General Oppose Illinois Gaming Expansion
Prospects for expansion of gaming in Illinois, possibly including slot machines for the state's race tracks, took a double hit as two of the state's top elected officials announced their opposition.
Support Builds for Expanded Gambling in Illinois
Support is building in the Illinois General Assembly for an end-of-session revision of gaming laws that could include slot machines at race tracks.
Arlington Seeks Earlier Opening Date For 2004
Arlington Park has asked the Illinois Racing Board for approval to open its 2004 season April 28, two weeks ahead of the track's traditional Mother's Day opener. If granted, the request would take the Kentucky Derby simulcast rights away from National Jockey Club, which hosted Derby Day this year during its spring meet at Hawthorne Race Course.
Illinois Governor Says He'd Veto Racetrack Slots
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in a major reversal of form, has announced he will veto any expansion of gaming in Illinois, including a plan to put slot machines at racetracks.
Two New OTBs Approved in Illinois
The Illinois Racing Board Tuesday approved two new off-track betting parlors, bringing to 25 the number of off-track wagering sites in the state.
Illinois Bill Calls for 3,200 Slots at Five Racetracks
A key Illinois lawmaker has unveiled comprehensive gaming legislation that would authorize 3,200 slot machines for Illinois racetracks.
Momentum Gaining for Slots in Illinois
A tight state budget and political maneuvering are combining to brighten the prospect for approval of slot machines at racetracks in Illinois.
As Boycott Ends, Illinois Racing Hopes for Assistance
Illinois harness horsemen have ended a 2 1/2-month entry-box boycott with a deal that makes new state-authorized funding for all Illinois racing interests even more vital.
Hawthorne Kicks Off Season With Strong Numbers
Consolidation came to Illinois racing with a financial question mark on the first day of March as National Jockey Club opened its winter-spring meet at Hawthorne Race Course.
Illinois Harness Boycott Has Ramifications
An ongoing entry-box boycott by Illinois harness horsemen shut down live racing at Balmoral Park and Maywood Park for the first two weeks of 2003, with no end in sight and potential implications for the scheduled resumption of Thoroughbred racing in March.
No Santa for Ultra Pick Six Consolation Winners
Santa won't be bringing any $40,000 checks to the people holding consolation tickets in the Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick Six.
Payout of Ultra Pick 6 Winnings Still on Hold
The release of money to holders of Breeders' Cup Ultra Pick 6 consolation tickets remains on hold, with no definitive date for resolution in sight.
IRB Bans Bets Involving More Than Three Races
The Illinois Racing Board, without prior notice and over the angry objections of some track operators, on Nov. 12 slapped an immediate ban on wagers involving more than three races. It also put off licensing two tote companies for next year.
Illinois Dates: NJC to Race at Hawthorne in 2003
After a lot of sound and fury during a 10-hour meeting, the Illinois Racing Board produced a 2003 racing schedule that honors the status quo and enables a semi-merger between Hawthorne Race Course and Sportsman's Park.
New Leadership at Illinois Racing Board Lacks Experience
The Illinois Racing Board enters a crucial decision-making month with new leadership that has no direct experience in any aspect of horse racing.
Illinois Dates: Conflicting Requests ... and Balmoral, Too
Given the consolidation of Sportsman's Park and Hawthorne Race Course, and a bid by Balmoral Park for Thoroughbred dates, the Illinois Racing Board will have a lot to sort through before it slots the 2003 racing schedule in the state.
Sportsman's Park Hopes to Race at Hawthorne in 2003
Sportsman's Park will merge operations with its next-door neighbor, Hawthorne Race Course, and plans to conduct all racing at Hawthorne starting next year, officials of both tracks said July 31.
Illinois Budget Woes Bring About Purse Cuts
Illinois racing took a multimillion-dollar hit as Gov. George Ryan sliced up this year's overall state appropriations bill to deal with a budget crisis. Among the items cut by Ryan was money for the "recapture" of purse money.
Arlington BC: Several Thousand Seats Still Available
Arlington Park has several thousand seats still available for the Oct. 26 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships despite an early sales push and good demand.
A Few Good Seats Left for Breeders' Cup
Arlington Park received 6,066 applications for the initial allocation of tickets for the Oct. 26 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Derby Bonus Dispute Heads to Court ... But Which One?
The dispute over the $1-million Illinois Derby bonus earned by War Emblem appears headed for court. Still unresolved: Which court, and upon whose initiative?
Politics Stymies Racing-Related Bills in Illinois
Fierce partisan warfare over the state budget blocked a last-minute, controversial flurry of racetrack-related legislation in the final hours of the regular spring session of the Illinois General Assembly.
Racing Legislation DNF in Illinois Legislature
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Fierce partisan warfare over the state budget blocked a last-minute, controversial flurry of race track-related legislation in the final hours of the "regular" spring session of the Illinois General Assembly.
Racetrack Slots Not Dead Yet in Illinois
No one in Illinois government seems to like the idea of slot machines at racetracks, but the proposal remained on the table as the legislature's spring session went into overtime in an attempt to find new revenue sources to solve a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall.
Illinois Fiscal Woes Bring Talk of Racetrack Slots
The latest unlikely solution for a huge Illinois state budget crisis: Slot machines at racetracks.
Illinois Regulator: No Choice in One Tuff Fox Matter
The decision to scratch One Tuff Fox from the Illinois Derby (gr. II) was mandated by state racing rules and was in the best interest of the wagering public, chief state Steward Eddie Arroyo said Sunday
On the Other Hand
Bob Kieckhefer -- Illinois racing. It's hard to figure out where to start thinking about the current state of affairs. Harder yet to figure out where things are going.
Sportsman's Blasted by Late Winter Weather
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Sportsman's Park's meager 46-day Thoroughbred racing schedule has been severely eroded by horrible early-March weather.
Illinois Casino Boat, Revenue for Racing Grounded
An odd turn of events threatens any chance for construction of a new riverboat casino in Rosemont, Ill., that is designed to pump tens of millions of dollars a year into the state's horse racing industry.
Sportsman's Park Officials Say Live Meet is Safe
National Jockey Club officials assured the Illinois Racing Board Wednesday that the Sportsman's Park horse racing meet set to begin March 1 is not threatened by financial problems that have closed the organization's Chicago Motor Speedway for the year. In other business, the board began the process of changing some state regulations to facilitate the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships at Arlington Park this fall.
Chicago Casino Deal in the Works?
MGM Mirage could take over efforts to build a riverboat casino in Rosemont, Ill., near O'Hare International Airport that would pump tens of millions of dollars into the horse racing industry.
Arlington Boosts Stakes Schedule to Complement Breeders' Cup
Arlington Park plans to reschedule and enrich its stakes program this summer to provide a "Preview Weekend at the Park" before the Oct. 26 running of the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.
Hawthorne Handle Up for Fall-Winter Meet
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Aided by balmy late fall weather, Hawthorne Race Course posted improved numbers for on-site and total handle during its November-December meet. Hawthorne wound up operations on New Year's Day.
Hong Kong Report: Japanese Successes
In the week leading up to the Hong Kong International Races, the buzz during morning track works at the Sha Tin Racecourse was that Japan would have a very good day on Sunday. No kidding. Four races were run. Three times, the Japanese national anthem followed the winning ceremony, capped by the victory of Agnes Digital in the HK$18 million Hong Kong Cup.
Hong Kong Officials Have Big Dreams for Racing Series
Hong Kong racing officials have big dreams for a planned Asian Racing Series. "We want, in the end, to have these races build up as the world turf championship," said Hong Kong Jockey Club Director of Racing Winfried Englebrecht-Bresges.
Illinois Derby to Have $1M Bonus Incentive in 2002
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Sportsman's Park will offer a $1-million bonus for any horse that wins next year's $500,000 Illinois Derby and then goes on to win any Triple Crown race in the subsequent months. The Illinois track released its $2.1-million stakes schedule Tuesday.
Action May Be Near on Illinois Riverboat
After years of wrangling, there is hope for action on a new riverboat casino near O'Hare International Airport that would pump tens of millions of dollars into Illinois horse racing.
Arlington's 2002 Dates Expanded for Possible Breeders' Cup
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
The Illinois Racing Board has awarded Arlington Park a 109-date racing season for 2002 that will start the week of the Belmont Stakes and culminate with the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships -- possibly at Arlington.
Governor Signs Fairmount Park Legislation
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
A bill stablizing purses at Fairmount Park has been signed into law. The Collinsville, Ill., racetrack may now keep 80% of its nighttime simulcasting revenue for Thoroughbred purses.
Illinois Tracks In General Agreement on 2002 Dates
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Illinois tracks appear to be in general agreement on the proposed 2002 racing schedule
Arlington's Opening Weekend Called a Success
There was an odd feel to Arlington Park's mid-week opening day June 13, but by the time the first weekend of the 2001 meet was in the books, track management felt pretty good about things.
Chief Steward Resigns In Illinois
Rene Riera Jr. has resigned his post as chief state steward following an investigation into his role in distribution of a misleading workout time at Hawthorne Race Course.
Churchill Downs Planning Big Renovation
Churchill Downs plans to announce this summer a major renovation project for its historic facility.
Compromise on Fairmount Purses in Legislature
Legislation is advancing through the Illinois General Assembly that would bail out Fairmount Park from a purse-money problem that jeopardizes its future.
Sportsman's Rewarded With Double-Digit Business Gains
In 2000, Sportsman's Park suffered from its conversion to a dual-use facility for horse and motor sports racing. With sight lines and other fan amenities compromised, attendance and handle sagged. To address the problems, Sportsman's Park spent several million dollars during the past year to improve its facility, then implemented an extensive fan outreach program to show off the changes.
Struggling Fairmount Waits on Legislature
- By Bob Kieckhefer
- News, Racing
Fairmount Park's live meet, delayed more than a month by a crippling purse dispute, is finally under way. But the future of the track, located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Mo., is in the hands of the Illinois legislature.
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