Wildwood Farm's freshman sire Ghaaleb got his first winner from his first starter Aug. 15 when appropriately named Ghaaleb's Winner took a five-furlong maiden special weight at Fairmount Park by 3 1/4 lengths.
Jockey Uriel Lopez celebrated his 1,000th winner July 4 when he guided Kenneth Hutchens' homebred Peacock Man to victory in the sixth race at Fairmount Park.
The Illinois Racing Board on Jan. 24 discussed a proposal to put $500,000 in expected surplus funds into the state's purse accounts.
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.
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.
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 Rafael Hernandez, who was injured in a racing accident at Gulfstream Park Feb. 20, returned to action at the Florida track June 12.
Illinois HBPA members say problems still need to be addressed.
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.
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.
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.
ILHBPA executive director Lanny Brooks said all the allegations made against him in a lawsuit filed by 22 Southern Illinois horsemen are false.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
