Illinois Racing

Racing Returns To Hawthorne Friday

January 06, 2016

After nearly 10 years away, live harness racing action returns to Hawthorne on Friday evening with a 10-race card of full fields. With racing returning to Hawthorne, horsemen will see increased purse...

Balmoral Park Finale Well Supported

December 27, 2015

The curtain came down on at Balmoral Park last night (Saturday, Dec. 26) with $1,347,100 bet on the last program of 2015 and likely the final live racing card in the long history of the racetrack.

Hawthorne, Horsemen Excited For Meet

December 22, 2015

Hawthorne Race Course President and General Manager Tim Carey and Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association President Dave McCaffrey have given comments on their mutual excitement regarding the upcoming...

Update On Balmoral, Maywood

December 18, 2015

Reports indicate that Balmoral and Maywood Park aren't quite out of the horse racing business just yet.

Auction Slated For Track Assets

December 10, 2015

Reports from Illinois indicate that assets for two Chicago-area harness tracks will be auctioned off on Monday after failing to attract a buyer to keep them from bankruptcy.

Public Hearing About Balmoral Cancelled

November 25, 2015

It has been reported that the public hearing that had been scheduled to discuss the closure of Balmoral Park and the possibility of the track potentially re-opening has been cancelled.

Illinois Bill To Help Tracks Introduced

November 11, 2015

Illinois State Representative Thaddeus Jones has sponsored a bill in the State House that calls for the Balmoral Park and Maywood Park to remain open in hopes that a potential buyer can be sought in o...

Maywood/Balmoral Dark In 2016?

September 29, 2015

According to a report Tuesday on the Illinois Horsemen’s website, Hawthorne Race Course will be the only track in Illinois to offer Standardbred racing in 2016.

Dates Slashed In Illinois

August 28, 2015

Reports from Illinois indicate that the state's already diminished live harness racing calendar is about to take another substantial reduction.

Casino, Track Reach Pact In Illinois

It has been announced that the owners of the Casino Queen casino in East St. Louis, Illinois have reached a deal with Thoroughbred raceway Fairmount Park that would see the casino take over the Collin...

Hope For Gaming Expansion In Illinois

According to a report, Illinois Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Lonny Brooks believes that Governor Bruce Rauner will pass a gaming expansion bill if it is to reach...

Instant Racing Bill Announced In Illinois

In Illinois, Rep. Dwight Kay has introduced a bill that calls for instant-racing terminals to be added to state raceways.