Balmoral Park back in the harness mix?

[balmoralfan]

It's almost June 2023. The 10 year ban on racing at Balmoral is almost up. All of the farms are still in business here. Biggest problem seems to be new casino in E Hazel Crest area. Everything else could fall into place.

Carey screwed the pooch, got stupid, and ruined the horsemen. Whoever reboots racing in Chicagoland will be thanked.. if they do it up right. Time will tell.

[Generation XYZ]

Let's hope that there is some type of solid plan in the works.  It would be great for IL Horseman to have a new or revised venue.

[Albatross 154.3]

Fingers crossed!  The IL horsemen need and deserve it.

[goblue]

I'm afraid racing isn't coming back to Balmoral any time soon. It's currently being used as a semi-truck parking lot:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-balmoral-park-truck-terminal-st-0904-20220902-yr3jukfbcrgy5eprbnkn72vhhi-story.html

The international semi-trucking mogel purchased the grounds in 2020 to be used as a storage facility with the facade that he has a commitment to racing. Watch this interview with his children from late 2021, who he has apparently put in charge of re-opening the horse track. It is quite comical how apparent it is they have no concrete plans nor any idea what they're doing:

https://wgntv.com/news/wgn-investigates/trying-to-play-catch-up-after-loss-of-arlington-big-bets-being-placed-on-future-of-illinois-horse-racing/

Furthermore, if the property were to fall into the hands of someone committed to racing, it can't be used as such until 2026 (not June 2023 as this post suggests). And on top of that, they would have to re-write legislature allowing a racino in Will county.

I have zero faith in Springfield to do anything more for this industry. And the two options right now both require legislative assistance: 1) Richton Park Racino (needs 30 miles from Hawthorne law amended), 2) Re-open Balmoral (needs Will county racino restriction amended). As a result of that, in my opinion, Hawthorne is going to where harness racing lives its last days in Illinois.

Anyone who has been to Hawthorne in the last 24 months knows that the racino is never being built. The project is done. What we have right now, with the only views being 50 yards past the wire, is what we are going to have permanently. We will never again be able to watch a horse race finish at the wire at Hawthorne.

Harness racing in Illinois is officially done.

[LUCPARK]

Harness racing in Illinois is dead and almost buried

[The Doctor]

As previously posted, pretty much the area open to the public makes live racing unwatchable. I've been a few times hoping something has changed. No. I don't think it is just harness racing that is finished, also thoroughbreds.

Track exists it allow Carey family to own OTBs and sports betting facilities.

I cry every time I go to Johnnies and pass the former Maywood Park, now an Amazon distribution center.

[MikeAnt]

Furthermore, if the property were to fall into the hands of someone committed to racing, it can't be used as such until 2026 (not June 2023 as this post suggests). And on top of that, they would have to re-write legislature allowing a racino in Will county.

Not true. Balmoral can re-open this year for harness racing WITHOUT casino gambling. Then in 2026 they could try to get the legislation changed so will county can have a racino on the property.  We can have live racing this year if new owner wants it just not going to have slot fueled purses. They have already asked Robin if she wants race secretary job

[LAW AND ORDER]

WHAT WOULD THE PURSES BE $4500 OPEN PACE? NOBODY WANTS TO RACE IN CHICAGO ANYMORE. ITS THE PITS.

[balmoralfan]

More chatter in Beecher this weekend about Balmoral coming back with a racino. I guess we'll see...

[Generation XYZ]

More chatter in Beecher this weekend about Balmoral coming back with a racino. I guess we'll see...

More chance of Blagojevich coming back as governor to exploit the system all over again.

[Balmoral buzz]

The only way balmoral could reopen would be if someone new would do it. All of the old track owners in Chicago are either dead or in jail. Those Johnson kids walked around like they were better then every1. I hope they rot in jail

[Fuguzzi]

Was there briefly in 82 - Damned cold place - ouch! I shiver thinking about it!

[harnessplop]

Stop the bs, dead game

[SPREE2015]

UNFORTUNATELY HARNESS RACING IN ILLINOIS IS ON LIFE SUPPORT 😕

[harnessplop]

Close all harness tracks.  ..Balmoral lol