Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Fairmount Park Cuts Racing Days

January 9, 2008

Fairmount Park is officially cutting back its days of operation in hopes of keeping the track afloat while state lawmakers debate a massive expansion of gambling that could bail the track out of its financial difficulties.

Fairmount President Brian Zander said that the track season will drop to 60 days of live racing from 90 days, citing financial strains on the horse racing track from the competing riverboat industry. He has been considering such a move for months.

Zander said he had tried to hold off on the shortened schedule in hopes that the state would pass a gambling expansion bill that could pump new dollars into the track.

"We really waited about as long as we could, but it's really come to point where we have to go to the 60-day schedule," he said.

Zander said he would officially notify the Illinois Racing Board of the decision later this week. The 2008 season will run from April 18 to Sept. 1, with racing on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Springfield, lawmakers took testimony on Tuesday from the horse racing industry and others on gaming legislation that would add slot machines at racetracks, including 500 at Fairmount.

Lanny Brooks, executive director of the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association, testified at the hearing that the horse racing industry would be hurt by Fairmount's decreased schedule.

"The horsemen are devastated," Brooks said in a subsequent interview. "… Guys that competed at Fairmount are out of work."

The legislation, he reasoned, would help make tracks like Fairmount more competitive and attractive to gamblers who were previously going elsewhere to play slot machines.

"We need this (bill)," he said.

Zander noted that in some other states, racetracks also get a portion of casino proceeds. In Illinois, they do not, which sometimes means smaller purses for race winners.

"We are in such a competitive disadvantage because those state's legislatures have done something to help the horse racing industry compete," Zander said.

In addition to adding slot machines to racetracks, the measure debated at Tuesday's hearing would also establish a Chicago land-based casino, one new riverboat license and a revised gaming board. Profits from the expanded gaming operations would likely give dollars to school and infrastructure projects.

While many racetrack and municipal officials say the legislation is needed, other Illinoisans at the hearing spoke out against the legislation.

The Rev. Glenn Stewart of Waukegan said he was against expanded gambling because of its effects on people who gamble away their savings.

"This is a reverse tax on the poor, the elderly who cannot afford to lose money," he said.

Meanwhile, Zander and Brooks said they will continue to push for a gaming expansion in the coming year.

"Hope that something happens in the 2008 legislative session," Zander said.