At a recent meeting of the Illinois Racing Board, state horseracing officials questioned Arlington International Race Course executives about the historic 92-year-old track’s future.
Owner Churchill Downs recently said two groups were interested in buying the track. However, when asked by racing board Chairman Jeffrey Brincat if there is “anything pending anybody could construe as an offer,” Arlington President Tony Petrillo responded, “Not that I’m aware of.”
An attorney for Churchill gave the same answer, adding that no one has put an offer on the table. And a Churchill spokeswoman later noted that the track is not for sale and the owners are not seeking bids.
Earlier this month, Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (ITHA) President Mike Campbell told the Chicago Sun-Times two separate groups interested in buying Arlington had approached him, asking if horse owners and trainers would support them in a potential bid for Arlington that would include turning it into a racino. Campbell did not suggest to the Sun-Times that an offer had been made; however, he said ITHA would support a new owner who would add casino games, authorized under the state’s new gambling law.
Churchill Downs is the majority owner of the Rivers casino in Des Plaines, only a few miles from Arlington and presumably would not want any casino to open nearby.
Meanwhile, contract talks between the track and the ITHA remain deadlocked. Both sides told board members they reached an impasse over purse levels, with horse owners and trainers seeking an average daily purse of $200,000. Petrillo said that amount “would cripple us.” He said Churchill Downs typically has offered purses averaging about $142,000.
Campbell said the owners and trainers have taken concessions in contract talks over the years, presuming purses would increase under new gambling legislation, which they promoted along with Churchill Downs. But Churchill Downs unexpectedly rejected the opportunity to open a racino, citing high state taxes. ITHA members claimed they were betrayed and that Churchill Downs was more interested in avoiding competition at its Rivers Casino in nearby Des Plaines.
Churchill officials haven’t committed to live racing at Arlington beyond the 2021 season. The 2020 season is scheduled to start May 1, but Campbell said he still thinks it’s “50-50” whether any races will occur this year at Arlington. “The ball is in their court,” he said.
