North Cook News

Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights may be the odd track to sit out the season thanks to a dispute over spectators at races.

The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, the group locked in dispute between with Arlington International Racecourse and corporate parent Churchill Downs Inc., blasted the management of Arlington Heights’ for an announcement it would only open if spectators are permitted.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s has not confirmed reopening dates for live races, only confirming they would not reopen June 1. He has previously stated races would have to take place without spectators at the beginning, the Daily Herald reported.

Hawthorne Race Course and Fairmont Park are in line to begin racing early this month, the Daily Herald reports.

Arlington's plan, which is under review by the governor, proposes an abbreviated schedule with spectators adhering to social distancing standards. It points to the fact its cost structure is twice as high as Hawthorne and four times as high at Fairmont.

The stance has upset the horseman’s association, which has worked toward reopening without spectators.

"Rather than race without spectators and miss out on the prospect of selling cocktails at a steep markup to crowds at Arlington Million Day, Arlington instead is poised to forgo racing altogether," Mike Campbell, the group's president, said in a release reported by the Daily Herald. "Everybody in Illinois is sacrificing in this difficult time. Everybody, that is, except Arlington – which would just as soon take its ball and go home than do its part to help Illinois workers and taxpayers by continuing live racing while taking reasonable steps to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19.”

Arlington President Tony Petrillo said despite the despite the issues of spectators, the largest hurdle is a contract with the horsemen. To date, demands have been termed “unreasonable,” the Daily Herald reports.