Pritzker: Horse Racing Can Return To Illinois

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker's announcement Thursday that racetracks can reopen without spectators in Phase 3 of his Restore Illinois plan, horse racing at Arlington International Racecourse might be stuck in the starting gate.

During his daily press conference updating the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the state, Pritzker said the Illinois Department of Agriculture is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Racing Board to develop guidelines for opening the racetracks. As reported by BloodHorse, horse racing is set to return at two other Illinois racetracks — Hawthorne Race Course and Fairmount Park — but the timetable for Arlington starting its delayed meet is unclear at this time. Racing at Arlington had been scheduled to begin May 1.

Representatives from Arlington International Racecourse, including President Tony Petrillo, said at a May 22 Illinois Racing Board meeting the racetrack will not race without spectators due to "unique financial considerations," according to BloodHorse. The Illinois Horsemen's Association is claiming Arlington is more concerned with the profits having spectators will make for its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., than supporting the sport in Illinois.

Patch has reached out to Arlington International Racecourse for comment.

Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes told Patch earlier this month not having live racing at Arlington this summer will hurt revenue with the municipality expecting to lose $8-9 million during the pandemic as is.

"It's such a big part of our community. There are a lot of complex issues involved in terms of health with a lot of people in close proximity. It's not just the spectators, but the horsemen, trainers and all of the people in the backstretch," Hayes said. "We are certainly supportive of the racetrack and want to see them open as soon as possible."