Illinois Horsemen Seek $750K Purse Underpayment From AP

Illinois horsemen told the state Racing Board Jan. 20 Arlington International Racecourse has underpaid its purse account by more than three-quarters of a million dollars and won't pay out the money even though it has ceased operations.

Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Chris Block said several requests to Arlington have gone unanswered and asked the IRB to "do everything possible" to get the money to its members.

IRB staff said they have not been party to any correspondence involving the underpayment and said they, therefore, are powerless to do anything about the situation.

Block said the underpayment currently stands at $755,193, consisting of earnings from off-track and advance-deposit wagering through December and "outs," or uncashed winning tickets.

"This money should be paid to horsemen," Block said. "Under normal circumstances, these monies would be carried over to next year's purse account. But we are not in normal times."

Churchill Downs Inc., which owns Arlington, did not apply for 2022 racing dates at the suburban Chicago facility and has entered into an agreement to sell the property to the Chicago Bears, presumably for construction of a new football stadium.

CDI and Arlington have told the Racing Board repeatedly they are actively seeking a location for a new track and need to retain purse money to facilitate the startup of such a track. They have, however, declined to disclose any specifics of such plans other than the likelihood a new track would require a casino counterpart.

Arlington officials did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Block's request to the IRB or a question about how long the track might expect to retain purse money without any firm plans to use it for purses.

"We have not been included in any of the correspondence" from the ITHA to Arlington, IRB executive director Domenic DiCera said in response to a question from commissioner Beth Doria about potential Board involvement. "We don't have enough information to take a position or make a recommendation."

IRB chairman Daniel Beiser urged DiCera to become involved.

"Anything the Board can do would be appreciated," the chairman said. "We really need to put that issue behind us. The money is needed for purses."