Arlington asks to vacate racing dates
Apr 23, 2013 11:33:32 GMT -5
Post by Jon on Apr 23, 2013 11:33:32 GMT -5
Could this really happen?!
Arlington asks to vacate racing dates in dispute with horsemen
Track trying to stay open for simulcasting, Derby betting, but horsemen could nix that plan
By Neil Milbert, Special to the Tribune
7:33 p.m. CDT, April 22, 2013
The plot is thickening in the contract fight pitting Arlington Park and its parent company, Churchill Downs, Inc., against the collective bargaining agent for owners and trainers.
Anticipating short fields for racing if a contract isn't signed before entries are taken for opening day, Arlington Park is asking the Illinois Racing Board to permit it to vacate days if an insufficient number of horses are entered for the opening week of the meet, scheduled to start May 3.
While vacating the live racing dates would enable the track to stay open for simulcasting and betting two premier events in American racing (the Kentucky Oaks on May 3 and Kentucky Derby on May 4), sources tell the Tribune that without a deal in place, the Kentucky division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents horsemen at Churchill Downs, won't give its required permission for simulcasting and off-track betting from Churchill Downs, a show of solidarity between the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Churchill Downs horsemen.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association could take similar action.
Retired Cook County Circuit Judge Dennis Burke met with the sides for the first time last week to mediate a closed session. Neither side would comment.
An agreement between horsemen and the tracks isn't the only obstacle to Arlington racing with the first leg of the Triple Crown nearing.
In Springfield, proposed legislation on Internet gambling revenue shuts out horsemen's purses, unlike slot machine legislation, which include a portion of adjusted gross revenue. The Arlington track has stated on its website that it supports letting the ITHA have its own "I-Gaming license." But ITHA President Mike Campbell calls it a meaningless overture because the ITHA doesn't have the $20 million for an Internet license under the proposed law.
"We have no assets — we're funded from purses," Campbell said. "How could we come up with $20 million?"
Campbell said legislative staff members have told him they doubt the ITHA would qualify for the license given its non-profit status.
Arlington Chairman Dick Duchossois, by far the biggest shareholder in Churchill Downs, Inc., will lead a shareholders' meeting at Arlington for the first time on Tuesday. The meeting was on the calendar before this latest tussle between the horsemen and track owners.
Copyright © 2013 Chicago Tribune Company, LLC
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/horseracing/ct-spt-0423-arlington-horse-racing-20130423,0,2594882.story.
Arlington asks to vacate racing dates in dispute with horsemen
Track trying to stay open for simulcasting, Derby betting, but horsemen could nix that plan
By Neil Milbert, Special to the Tribune
7:33 p.m. CDT, April 22, 2013
The plot is thickening in the contract fight pitting Arlington Park and its parent company, Churchill Downs, Inc., against the collective bargaining agent for owners and trainers.
Anticipating short fields for racing if a contract isn't signed before entries are taken for opening day, Arlington Park is asking the Illinois Racing Board to permit it to vacate days if an insufficient number of horses are entered for the opening week of the meet, scheduled to start May 3.
While vacating the live racing dates would enable the track to stay open for simulcasting and betting two premier events in American racing (the Kentucky Oaks on May 3 and Kentucky Derby on May 4), sources tell the Tribune that without a deal in place, the Kentucky division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents horsemen at Churchill Downs, won't give its required permission for simulcasting and off-track betting from Churchill Downs, a show of solidarity between the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Churchill Downs horsemen.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association could take similar action.
Retired Cook County Circuit Judge Dennis Burke met with the sides for the first time last week to mediate a closed session. Neither side would comment.
An agreement between horsemen and the tracks isn't the only obstacle to Arlington racing with the first leg of the Triple Crown nearing.
In Springfield, proposed legislation on Internet gambling revenue shuts out horsemen's purses, unlike slot machine legislation, which include a portion of adjusted gross revenue. The Arlington track has stated on its website that it supports letting the ITHA have its own "I-Gaming license." But ITHA President Mike Campbell calls it a meaningless overture because the ITHA doesn't have the $20 million for an Internet license under the proposed law.
"We have no assets — we're funded from purses," Campbell said. "How could we come up with $20 million?"
Campbell said legislative staff members have told him they doubt the ITHA would qualify for the license given its non-profit status.
Arlington Chairman Dick Duchossois, by far the biggest shareholder in Churchill Downs, Inc., will lead a shareholders' meeting at Arlington for the first time on Tuesday. The meeting was on the calendar before this latest tussle between the horsemen and track owners.
Copyright © 2013 Chicago Tribune Company, LLC
www.chicagotribune.com/sports/horseracing/ct-spt-0423-arlington-horse-racing-20130423,0,2594882.story.
