Amid Gloomy Forecast, Illinois Sets Dates
The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 27 approved a coordinated racing schedule for 2017 after hearing gloomy predictions about the industry's future absent an infusion of alternative revenue.
Fairmount Park
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Fairmount Park
Longtime Voice of Fairmount Park to Retire
John Scully, who began calling races at Fairmount Park in southern Illinois in 1970 and has been the track announcer there ever since, will retire after the races of Sept. 5.
Arlington, Hawthorne Reach Dates Agreement
The two remaining Chicago-area tracks, for the second straight year, have submitted coordinated dates requests for the coming year to the Illinois Racing Board.
Jockey Hernandez Returns to Action in Florida
Jockey Rafael Hernandez, who was injured in a racing accident at Gulfstream Park Feb. 20, returned to action at the Florida track June 12.
Illinois Settlement Doesn't Equal Resolution
Illinois HBPA members say problems still need to be addressed.
IRB Passes Rules Amid Industry Turmoil
The Illinois Racing Board Jan. 26, over the objection of horsemen and breeders, advanced a request by the state's three remaining tracks for more flexibility in carding races.
IL Group Restates Opposition to Rule Changes
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Jan. 24 said proposed changes in state racing regulations, as well as another rule that allows racetracks to "recapture" purse money, "threaten to crush" horse racing.
Slots Spread, Illinois Tracks Can Only Watch
Illinois racetracks, which aren't permitted to have gaming machines, have watched about 5,100 other locations install slot machines which, according to a report, aren't subject to typical casino-style regulation.
Illinois HBPA's Brooks: Truth Will Prevail
ILHBPA executive director Lanny Brooks said all the allegations made against him in a lawsuit filed by 22 Southern Illinois horsemen are false.
Horsemen File Suit Against Illinois HBPA
Southern Illinois horsemen have filed a lawsuit to compel the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association's president and executive director to disclose financial records, and alleges a conflict of interest.
Arlington, Hawthorne Mesh '16 Dates Schedules
Amid uncertainty about the future of Illinois racing, the state's two Chicago-area tracks July 31 submitted live racing dates requests for 2016 that fit together like puzzle pieces.
Simply a Treasure First Winner for Wilburn
Grade II winner Wilburn was represented by his first winner July 25, when 2-year-old filly Simply a Treasure won the fifth race at Fairmount Park.
Fairmount Sale Hinges on Approval for Slots
The owner of an East St. Louis, Ill., casino plans to purchase nearby Fairmount Park provided Illinois lawmakers agree to allow a gambling expansion that would bring slot machines to the state's five racetracks.
Illinois Financial Crisis Impacting Racing
The Illinois Racing Board May 19 approved summertime racing at two state fairs and one county fair amid uncertainty about funding from the cash-strapped state and a wrangle about advance deposit wagering.
Illinois Horsemen Representation Discussed
The Illinois Racing Board Aug. 14 took the first formal step toward creating rules for handling a potential dispute about which organization should formally represent horsemen at the state's tracks.
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 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.
ADW Extension Agreement Reached in Illinois
Illinois horsemen and representatives of the state's racetracks and Advance Deposit Wagering providers have reached agreement on an extension of ADW for three years.
Show Set for Retired Illinois Thoroughbreds
A horse competition in Staunton, Ill., Oct. 20 will be held to benefit Thoroughbreds Helping Thoroughbreds, an organization that aims to promote the retired Thoroughbred as a capable horse breed for competition off the track.
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.
Two Fairmount Jockeys Recovering After Spill
Fairmount Park jockeys Robert Cummings and Rohan Singh are recovering from injuries after an Aug. 27 accident in which one horse broke down and was euthanized.
Jockey John Lejune Suspended 60 Days
Stewards at Fairmount Park in Illinois have suspended a jockey for 60 days in connection with a July 23 race in which it was determined the rider did not put forth his best effort.
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.
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.
Oaklawn Hires New Track Superintendent
Oaklawn Park has hired Kevin Seymore as track superintendent in advance of the 2013 live meet.
Purse Bonus for Field Size Gets Illinois OK
The Illinois Racing Board agreed July 26 to require race tracks to include "field size bonus" money in the base purse amount used to calculate owners' and breeders' awards.
Fairmount Park Purses to Jump 20% in 2012
Fairmount Park and the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association have agreed upon an increased purse structure for 2012 thanks to the racetrack's share of casino impact funding it received last year.
Illinois Dates Approved for 2011
Fairmount Park in southern Illinois received approval Sept. 28 for 75 racing dates in 2011, up from the 52 days of live racing this year.
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.
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.
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.
Fairmount to Host RACE Fundraiser
Fairmount Park, which recently put in place a zero tolerance policy on slaughter, will host an April 23 fundraiser to benefit its newly established Thoroughbred adoption program, Racehorse Alternative Choice Environment.
Fairmount Implements Horse Welfare Plan
To make its position clear on horse slaughter, Fairmount Park in Illinois has put in place a zero-tolerance policy that would take stalls away from trainers involved in the practice. And in an effort to address the unwanted horse situation, the track has created an adoption program for Fairmount runners when they retire from racing.
Ellis Park, Others Squeezed by Indiana
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino and Indiana Downs have submitted requests for 2009 schedules that could significantly impact surrounding states.
Illinois Board Approves '09 Dates
The IRB has released approved dates for '09 for Hawthorne, Arlington, and Fairmount Park.
Some Overlap in Illinois Dates Requests
Requests for 2009 racing dates in Illinois show a few overlaps, including a month between Arlington Park and Hawthorne Race Course in late summer and early fall.
Fairmount Jockeys Get Mount-Fee Increase
Jockeys at Fairmount Park received a mount-fee increase through the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents horsemen at the track.
Court: Racing Should Get Casino Money
Illinois' richest riverboat casinos must pay part of their profits to horse owners and racetracks, the state Supreme Court ruled June 5.
Youbet Set for Illinois Wagering
Youbet.com has reached an exclusive agreement with four Illinois racetracks to offer advance deposit wagering access to residents of the state, a deal that is being called the first of its kind because of its revenue sharing program.
Commentary: Woe(Whoa?) is Fairmount
By - Kathy Kranz - Last year I was privileged -- yes, privileged -- to witness Lawyer Ron winning the inaugural St. Louis Derby. But the 2006 running was the one and only, the first and last, the alpha and the omega St. Louis Derby.
Arlington, Hawthorne, Fairmount Awarded 2007 Dates
The Illinois Racing Board awarded 2007 racing dates Sept. 19, and the schedule is similar to that of this year.
Lawyer Ron Takes Inaugural St. Louis Derby
Lawyer Ron, making his first start since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), held off 30-1 shot Smokeyjonessutton to win the $250,000 St. Louis Derby at Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Ill., Saturday night.
Lawyer Ron Returns to Action in St. Louis Derby
Lawyer Ron is set to return to action in Saturday's $250,000 St. Louis Derby at Fairmount Park. The race will mark his first start since he finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
Fairmount Park Trainers Die in Train Collision
Fairmount Park trainers Susan and Challis Irion were killed Aug. 18 when their pickup truck collided with a train in rural Collinsville, Ill.
Bills Favorable to Illinois Racing Signed into Law
- By Ron Mitchell
Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich has signed into law two bills designed to help protect thousands of jobs associated with the state's horse racing industry.
Racing Industry Assistance Bill Passes Illinois House
- By Tom LaMarra
Revised legislation that would provide the Illinois horse racing industry with casino revenue passed the state House of Representatives 70-32 April 26 and heads to the Senate for consideration.
Fairmount Park Tax-Break Bill Sent to Governor
- By Tom LaMarra
Legislation that would grant Fairmount Park a tax break worth almost $1.4 million a year has passed both houses of the Illinois legislature and awaits the signature of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. If approved, the track could increase purses and racing dates, according to reports.
Illinois Racing Board Approves 2006 Schedule
Arlington Park will run from May 5 to Sept. 14 next year, a total of 95 racing dates under the schedule announced by the Illinois Racing Board.
