Illinois Horse Track Tries to Last Until Slots Arrive
Yet another horse track is desperately trying to stay alive, hoping that legislators act to allow slots to be installed before the track is forced to shut down. Fairmount Park in Illinois has reduced its schedule of live racing from 90 days to 60, trying to muddle through its financial difficulties long enough for casino-style gambling to come to the rescue.
Fairmount President Brian Zander said he will notify the Illinois Racing Board officially by the end of the week of the scheduling changes. The new season extends from April 18th to September 1st, with races to be held on Tuesday afternoons and Friday and Saturday nights.
Legislators in the state capitol of Springfield listened to testimony from horse racing industry representatives concerning the bill that would allow slot machines at state racetracks, including 500 slots that would be allocated to Fairmount.
The director of the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association, Lanny Brooks, testified that Fairmount's change in schedule will significantly affect the horse industry, causing the loss of jobs both to track employees and horse trainers and others.
Zander pointed out that other states gave a portion of casino revenues to racing purses and tracks, whereas Illinois did not, putting the state's horsemen at a competitive disadvantage. Both men agreed the track would be hardput to remain open if help were not soon provided.
If Illinois wishes to save its historic track industry, measures, most certainly including slots, must be passed soon.
