Illinois Racing

Casino, Online Betting Grow CDI Earnings

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• March 12, 2012
• Kentucky

Churchill Downs Inc reported 19% growth in revenue for 2011 due largely to a Mississippi casino and online wagering.

Hawthorne Betting Declines During Fall Meet

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• January 3, 2007

Despite having one of the highest starters per race averages in the country, Hawthorne's betting declined across the board during the fall meet that began Sept. 15 and ended Dec. 31.

Bills Favorable to Illinois Racing Signed into Law

• By Ron Mitchell
• May 29, 2006

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.

Illinois Regulator: No Choice in One Tuff Fox Matter

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• April 15, 2002
• Triple Crown

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

The Mud Bug

• April 9, 2002

By Victor E. Zast -- The "Mud Bug" -- aka Trackside Chicago, the off-track betting facility owned by Arlington Park -- rekindles youthful days spent at Fort Erie.

On the Other Hand

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• March 19, 2002

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.

Illinois Tracks In General Agreement on 2002 Dates

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• August 1, 2001
• Thoroughbred Racing

Illinois tracks appear to be in general agreement on the proposed 2002 racing schedule

Sportsman's Drainage System 'Snowed Under'

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• March 18, 2001
• Thoroughbred Racing

The state-of-the-art drainage system at Sportsman's Park fell victim to a late-season snowstorm that forced cancellation of racing after the second race on Friday (March 16) and the entire St. Patrick's Day card on Saturday.

Sportsman's Meet Off to Good Start

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• March 3, 2001
• Thoroughbred Breeding

Full fields, reasonably good weather and a flock of new fan amenities greeted the opening of the Chicago-area racing season Friday at Sportsman's Park. The combination drew on-track attendance of 5,281, up sharply from last year's opening-day crowd of 4,224, a Sportsman's spokesman said.

Illinois Racing Could Receive $10-Million From Casino

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• February 26, 2001

They won't be seeing it anytime soon, but Illinois racetracks and horse owners each can expect about $10 million a year as their cut of a Cook County riverboat casino. There has been speculation - sometimes wild speculation - since the 1999 revision of Illinois gaming and racing laws about how much racing can expect as its 15 percent share of the adjusted gross annual revenue from the boat. The fiscal 2002 Illinois budget presented by Gov. George Ryan on Feb. 21 provides a semi-official answer: $20 million, split 50/50 between purses and tracks.

Illinois Riverboat Plans On Hold

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• February 5, 2001

They fired up the boiler and tooted the whistle but the riverboat casino that's supposed to pour millions of dollars into Illinois racing still hasn't been able to get up a head of steam. And, after the latest setback before the Illinois Gaming Board, it appears it could be many months -- or even years -- before the boat floats.

Illinois Board Cuts Fairmount Dates, Orders Upgrade

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• January 31, 2001
• Thoroughbred Racing

The Illinois Racing Board Wednesday gave Fairmount Park permission to cut its live racing schedule but not before threatening the Southern Illinois track with sanctions if it fails to upgrade the backside At a special meeting sought by the track, the board agreed to allow Fairmount to push back its opening from Feb. 6 to March 16 and to cancel racing on Easter Sunday and the day after Memorial Day -- a total decrease of 23 day

Illinois Gaming Board Rejects Rosemont Casino License

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• January 30, 2001

The Illinois Gaming Board Tuesday voted against granting a license for Emerald Casino's plan to build a more than $100 million gambling barge in Rosemont, Ill. An appeal is expected.

Free Brunch, Simulcasting Draw Crowd at Sportman's Park

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• January 8, 2001
• Thoroughbred Racing, Handicapping

It might have been the free brunch. It might have been the beautiful
weather after a string of dreadful winter weekends. But whatever the reason, Sportsman's Park officials were ecstatic about the turnout for a "welcome back" event Saturday that drew a surprisingly large crowd for all-simulcast racing.

Arlington Wins Illinois Dates Battle

• By Bob Kieckhefer
• September 20, 2000
• Thoroughbred Racing

The Illinois Racing Board has approved a 2001 schedule that will facilitate the merger between Arlington International Racecourse and Churchill Downs but shuffles the deck for Sportsman's Park and Hawthorne Race Course, forcing rescheduling of their signature races.

Churchill's Arlington Purchase Approved

• By Blood-Horse Staff
• August 29, 2000
• Thoroughbred Racing

The Illinois Racing Board Tuesday gave unanimous approval to plans for a merger that will make Churchill Downs Inc. the sole owner of Arlington International Racecourse.