Arlington, Illinois THA Ink Two-Year Contract
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Arlington will begin race meet May 6
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Arlington International Racecourse April 29 signed a two-year contract that ensures Arlington's race meet will begin as scheduled May 6.
Absent an agreement, Arlington likely would not have been able to import simulcast signals during its opening weekend, which includes the Longines Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (both gr. I) at Churchill Downs. Arlington and Churchill are both owned by Churchill Downs Inc.
The track and Illinois THA engaged in a long and sometimes contentious negotiation period before reaching terms, which were not immediately made public. At one point, the horsemen's group sued in federal court to prevent Arlington from dealing with a potential rival group, the Illinois Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Foundation.
"We're very happy to have this contract in place and to move on to our season," Arlington general manager Tony Petrillo said. "Our backstretch will be open (April 30) and I expect our training track will be very busy."
Illinois THA executive director David McCaffrey confirmed the two-year deal.
The Illinois THA and Arlington have had a sometimes testy relationship for several years, and the latest negotiations included allegations in the federal suit that Arlington recruited the ITBOF as a rival representation organization. The ITBOF said during a court hearing it no longer was interested in that role.