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.
