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General Category => Harness Racing => Topic started by: racing123 on July 09, 2021, 09:06:15 PM
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was wondering if anyone knew anything regarding progress - seems like not much going on there..thanks
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Sounds like the Carey's didn't have the money for a casino build out? That is from two sources closer to the situation then me and one top trainer that is east but still buys in IL. Heard that the Carey's may sell that part of the business keeping a cut but having a Australian company being the casino operator? If that is the case I'm sure they have to go through the gaming board and FBI checks. But whatever the reasons and it has been a year or more since the passage of the gaming bill. If there is a way to fuck things up it is the IL way and definitely the way to keeping horse racing down in the state. The yearling sale is in a couple months I'm sure they will paint some rosey picture to try and keep prices up.
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thanks for the insight and like you said definitely the Illinois way....will be interesting to see what happens with Arlington closing...what harness racing dates will Hawthorne apply for as opposed to thoroughbred dates etc. Personally I don't think it's an issue of Carey's not having the $$ - I'm thinking he's working on selling the entire business - maybe keeping a % of the business moving forward...hopeful ly he has a genuine interest in protecting Illinois racing - if he doesn't the racing business in our state has no chance of being revived...
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i also have an inkling the standardbred business will be second in line to the thoroughbreds in Illinois...
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It's a given standardbreds will play second fiddle to the thoroughbreds. Once Arlington goes away the thoroughbreds will fight for summer dates with either spring or fall. Only makes sense if they receive spring and fall they risk those horses leaving the state for the summer...not happening. Plus turf racing you want the summer dates. With Arlington gone and we may know shortly the problem with 2022 dates they will need to be approved in Sep at the IRB meeting. If harness doesn't find a secondary track they are fucked. More so the stake program how do you squeeze that in and with spring dates you can forget the 2 yr old horses being ready. I think your right as far as Carey's wanting to sell personally with all the gaming around and at some point a Chicago casino...profits don't seem like a blockbuster. Even worse for the purse accounts as both breeds need to split. Yes sure recapture finally goes away and that adds a few million back to the purses. I did hear Rick Heidner maybe back in play with the Tinley Park track and casino...Carey's were to be a partner on that. If that has any credibility maybe that is were the Carey's don't have enough money? Selling out the Hawthorne casino end to raise cash for the Tinley build out would make some sense. Either way 2022 time is ticking for harness, were and when they will race. I'm sure interesting discussions going between horsemen groups. The ironic part will be Dave Mac now a thoroughbred guy vs the lackies he left behind at the IHHA. I really hope the Bears buy the Arlington property and stick it to Chicago.
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I would think all of the stake races could be moved to track at Springfield?
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They could try to get Tetrick vs Oliveira cage match 2 to boost attendance.
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One would think the fair grounds could be a place but that would take approval as well with the car and dirt track racing? The funding that it would take to make it more a daily operation. Who would pay to have the par mutual end as well. Always a obstacle to clear. Speaking of Springfield fair grounds more failure with slots as they have been placed all around the area.