Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Bill Would Limit How Track Dates Are Determined

February 1, 2010

Rusty Hellman, a 38-year-old horse trainer based at Fairmount Park Racetrack, had nearly written off the 2010 racing season after a labor dispute saw the track stripped of 49 of its 52 race dates.

But with Monday's settlement agreement, Hellman is back in business.

"I sure am happy," Hellman said.

But that joy is tempered by the reality of a working in a struggling industry.

"We used to have 160 days and now we have 52," Hellman said. "And we're happy with that."

They almost had three. Last-minute negotiations between the Illinois Racing Board and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees resulted in the reinstatement of track's 49 vacated dates.

Six state workers employed at the track had refused to accept a mandated cut in work days by the racing board. That led the board to take the dramatic step of slashing the race track's schedule.

Though the dispute was resolved after the racing board agreed to award the workers additional work and vacation days, the whole process left a bad taste in the mouth of some local lawmakers.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) and state Sen. William Haine (D-Alton) filed legislation last week to amend the Illinois Horse Racing Act.

The amendment would prevent the Racing Board from considering legislation filed by the General Assembly or collective bargaining agreements when determining racing dates.

Hoffman and Haine, flanked by a handful of fellow lawmakers, called a press conference Monday at Fairmount Park to discuss the bill.

Both were highly critical of the racing board, with Hoffman claiming the board went "beyond its statutory authority" by stripping race dates.

Haine pointed out the state senate confirms racing board nominations.

"I will remember how this track was treated," he told those assembled.

Lanny Brooks, executive director of the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said track workers were "on pins and needles" prior to the announcement of a settlement agreement.

The track, which employs more than 500 workers, is Collinsville's third-largest employer.

For Hellman, a horse-racing lifer with deep ties to Fairmount Park, the agreement is a lifeline.

"Not having a meet this year would have crippled us," he said. "Now there's light at the end of the tunnel."