Illinois horse racing may be in jeopardy

The Illinois horse racing regulator set race dates for Arlington Racecourse despite its refusal to open a casino in its premises.

US.- Someone had to give and it turns out it was the Illinois horse racing regulator. The Illinois Racing Board set race dates for 2020 despite the fact no casino will open in Arlington International Racecourse

On Tuesday, a nine-member panel voted unanimously to grant its 68 live racing dates next year. They did so “for the good of racing in Illinois,” board chairman Jeffrey Brincat said.

However, the future of horse racing in the venue is still unclear. That, despite Churchill Downs general counsel Brad Blackwell clarified he won’t shut down Arlington or move the track after 2021.

“We’re still trying to figure this out,” Blackwell told board members Tuesday as quoted by the Chicago Sun Times. “We don’t have all the answers now, but we’re committed to find them. We would appreciate your patience as we do so.”

Michael Campbell, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association was “deeply disappointed” with the decision. “Churchill Downs was not held accountable,” Campbell said. “They have an obligation to racing. The genesis of their company was racing. It’s just wrong at every level.”