Illinois 2019 Racing Schedule Similar to Current Season

The Illinois Racing Board Sept. 18 approved a racing schedule for 2019 that all parties agreed isn't what they want, but all they can expect given economic realities.

The Thoroughbred schedule roughly mirrors the 2018 agenda with Hawthorne Race Course running four dates in January, then from March 6 through April 28. Arlington International Racecourse takes the baton April 29 and runs through Sept. 30. Hawthorne resumes Oct. 1 through New Year's Eve.

Fairmount Park down state in Collinsville was granted 41 dates and general manager Brian Zander said he is confident they will be run. This year Fairmount was forced to vacate five dates because of financial constraints.

Arlington general manager Tony Petrillo said the coordinated timing between his track and Hawthorne "provides a maximum number of racing dates for horsemen, under the existing conditions we face today."

Hawthorne president Tim Carey added the schedule is "not what we ideally would like to run" and said he will continue to support efforts to pass legislation authorizing slot machines and table games at Illinois tracks.

"That's exactly what this industry needs to compete with neighboring jurisdictions," Carey said.

Illinois tracks have struggled for more than a decade to win approval to host slot machines and, more recently, full casino gaming. Tracks in all surrounding jurisdictions have some form of alternative revenue, generating higher purses and luring away Illinois horsemen.

Zander believes the decision to vacate dates at Fairmount "maybe got the attention of some people in (state capital) Springfield. It's hard to say."

Legislation signed by former Gov. Pat Quinn authorized slot machines, by local option, at other types of businesses such as bars, beauty salons, and fraternal halls. Racetracks were specifically excluded.

That, Zander pointed out, results in the anomaly of Fairmount's OTB in Springfield, despite being the biggest bar in the capital city, being one of the few without slot machines.

The annual dates hearing was relatively free of controversy. Less than a decade ago, when Illinois had nearly twice as many tracks, dates applications usually overlapped and bitter fights were waged for the rights to simulcast revenue. With the demise of Maywood Park and Balmoral Park in bankruptcy proceedings, Arlington and Hawthorne have found coordination easier.

Carey and Zander said they, too, have been cooperating to ensure that horses stabled at Fairmount have an easy transition to Hawthorne. As a result of that effort, Carey said, Hawthorne's horse population was "solid in the fall meet." He said he expects even better results this fall.