Arlington Negotiations Continue Without Signed Contract

Arlington International Racecourse and horsemen were unable to finalize a tentative contract agreement June 18, and the Illinois Racing Board gave them one more day to come to terms and salvage a summer racing season.

Both sides told the IRB that new issues emerged as the proposed deal, announced just 24 hours earlier, was being reduced to writing. IRB commissioner Thomas McCauley, who with executive director Domenic DiCera led negotiations over nearly two weeks of intense talks, agreed to lead one last push.

Chairman Daniel Beiser agreed to recess the meeting for one more day but said at that point, "We will finally dispose of this matter one way or another, with or without an agreement."

Illinois law requires an agreement between Arlington and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. If no agreement is reached, the ITHA earlier suggested the racing board reallocate "dark days" simulcasting revenue from Arlington to Hawthorne Race Course to support a late-season Thoroughbred meeting there.

Both sides said a deal was close despite the last-minute hang-ups.

"We want to get to a deal," ITHA executive director David McCaffrey said. "But unless all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, we're not going to sign."

"We are committed to getting this done," Arlington president Tony Petrillo said. "With the participation of the board, this could take no more than a half-hour to an hour. Absent that participation, I don't see us getting to an agreement."

McCauley, whose law practice involves contract negotiations and resolution, said he would be "happy to spend a little more time on this."

"I know that yesterday we had a deal in substance," McCauley said. "But when the matter gets to the drafting table, in all good faith, one or two matters can arise."

Arlington, which was due to open May 1 before COVID-19 struck, now proposes a 30-day season running three days a week from late July through September without stakes races.