Maywood Park officials have been cited as saying that the track will 'fold' by June of this year if it does not get slot machines. Also, it seems like the gloves have come off in terms of the quotes some participants in the Illinois industry are willing to give to local media

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A lengthy piece published over the weekend by the Chicago Sun-Times quotes track officials and horsepeople as being very frank regarding the state of affairs in Illinois. The article cuts right to the chase with its headline alone -- "Horse racing in Illinois ‘on verge of extinction.’"

The report chronicles the failed attempt to get a gaming expansion bill passed in January which would have seen slots installed in state racetracks. The article explains that after the measure passed the Senate as part of a larger casino-expansion package, its lead House sponsor, Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), made the stunning decision not to call the bill for a House vote.

“We had all the necessary votes and for one reason or another, the bill just wasn’t called. We were shocked that the bill wasn’t called,” Arlington Park owner Richard Duchossois was quoted as saying. “This is the first time our industry, everyone, the unions that worked for it, the horsemen from the breeders, the people who own the horses, the people that train the horses, the people who run the racetracks, everyone in the industry was put together.”

Maywood Park owner Duke Johnston voiced his opinion, and wasn't afraid to throw his own product under the bus while doing so. “What really hurt us is our purses are for s---,” he was quoted as saying. “Our quality of racing has gone to s---.”

Maywood’s Operations Manager Bob Kevil was quoted as pointing out the elder demographic which frequents the establishment. “Look at these people here,” he was quoted as saying. “One is older than the next.”

In regard to a recent instance in which an elder gentleman unfortunately slipped on some ice, split his forehead and injured his neck, Kevil was quoted as saying, “He was 90,” and that, “the guy who rescued him was 85.”

Trainer Dave McCaffrey, who is also the head of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association, is quoted as saying that the state's situation just got worse in 2007 -- that was the year rival state Indiana got their racinos up and running. The article explains that by 2009, Illinois' number of registered track workers had dropped by about 1,200, while Indiana’s stayed steady. “That’s the best example I can give you of how a state has robbed our state of jobs,” McCaffrey was quoted as saying. He went on to state, “It pisses me off to no end. It infuriates me. This is just another example of Illinois having its head up its collective, legislative ass.”

Although the current situation seems bleak in Illinois, Duchossois, like many, see the potential in the industry, but realize that laurel-resting is not the answer.

“We can’t just cry about things. We have to innovate and move forward,” Duchossois said. “I’m extremely optimistic about our industry. We have all of the right things. But what has basically happened [is] we have been maybe overregulated and not given a level playing field… this is where part of our problem is today.”

A bill to get expanded gaming at Illinois racetracks is currently being fast-tracked through committees in order to get to the Senate floor.

(With files from the Chicago Sun-Times)

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