The last race day of the 2021 season is scheduled to occur at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday, September 25. Given current circumstances, there is a strong chance that horse racing events may no longer be held at Arlington in the future.
Churchill Downs announced its plans to buy the trail earlier this year, with the understanding that the property will not be sold to Illinois residents looking to use it for horse racing or casino gambling.
Why? Casino Rivers
Furthermore, Churchill Downs is the primary operator of Rivers, a town located near Des Plaines. The intention is for Churchill Downs to ensure that Rivers, the most renowned casino in Illinois, is not in direct competition with other establishments.
Roy Arnold, the former president of Arlington and current bidder for the property, recently spoke to the Chicago Tribune regarding the sale.
I can only conclude that their goal is to restrict competition, which is connected to safeguarding Rivers Casino.
As of mid-September, Arnold’s group had offered $120 million for the property but had not heard back from Churchill Downs for over a month.
If Arlington Park ceases to host horse racing, Illinois will be left with only two remaining horse racetracks.
What about Arlington Park did Illinois miss?
If Arlington were not included, the only remaining horse tracks in Illinois would be Hawthorne Race Course, located in the Chicagoland area, and FanDuel Sportsbook & Horse Racing, situated in southeastern Illinois.
Michael McCormick, a horse racing industry expert whose work has been highlighted on AmericasBestRacing.net, commented to Play-illinois.com about the potential losses for the state.
Besides the Arlington Million, can anyone name another famous race that takes place in Illinois?
He went on:
Arlington Park’s architectural beauty surpasses that of the coastal mountains of Southern California and the charm of Saratoga. With its impeccably maintained facilities, friendly staff, and welcoming atmosphere, newcomers to horse racing are guaranteed to have a positive first experience.
McCormick believes that Hawthorne will be responsible for carrying most of the horse racing load in Illinois, since FanDuel is a new player in the industry. There are also rumors that FanDuel views horse racing as a stepping stone to casino gaming and sports betting, rather than a primary focus.
Arlington Park was founded in 1927 and achieved a historic milestone in 1981 as the first purebred racing venue to offer a million dollar purse.
The main attraction of the International Festival of Racing, which took place in early August, was the Arlington Millions Stakes.
Located in Arlington Heights, the track has a seating capacity of 35,000. Tony Petrillo, President and CEO of Arlington Track, remarked on the last day:
I look forward to immersing myself in all the information about Arlington at some point in the future. I long to wander around on foot, taking in the sights and sounds. The people who are happily interacting with the horses are here, and I hope to persuade them that we will return once our current issues are resolved.
Had the sale of the Bears prevent open outrage?
This summer, the Chicago Bears attempted to acquire the track. If Churchill Downs chooses the Bears, there will be major repercussions.
McCormick thinks that acquiring the Bears could protect the image of Churchill Downs.
I believe the only thing that could potentially alter the story of Churchill Downs being blamed for the decline of horse racing in Illinois is if they were to be purchased by the Bears.
The Bears and Rivers are not in competition; they are partners. This is one of the reasons why the idea of the Bears relocating to the suburbs is a real possibility.
Rivers is now the official casino for The Bears, having recently named BetRivers as their official sports betting partner. The timing of this decision is unexpected, as Churchill Downs was expected to announce their choice soon.
The Bears and the Chicago Park District are currently at odds over the proposed sports betting lounge at Soldier Field. The Bears support the idea, but the Park District is against it, leading to frustration for the team.
Information about the Arlington last competition day
Unfortunately, if you were hoping to attend Arlington on Saturday without reservations, you are out of luck as all the reservations have been filled.
The doors will open at 1 p.m. on Saturday for those with reservations. Nighttime will be lit up, and the first blog post will start at 2:25 p.m. The tribes will finish their activities by 6:00 p.m.
Hawthorne will be holding thoroughbred races during the fall season for Chicagoland residents who enjoy attending horse races.
Get ready to see Hawthorne making headlines in the future, as it stands uncontested with no competitors.
