Arlington Opening Day

[Hapman]

So I've been lurking here for a while and seem to remember some threads about IL locals and Arlington. Are there any other IL/Chicago-area locals here?

Obviously with Oaks/Derby there are more important handicapping things going on but I'll be at AP today for another opening day.

The IL racing situation is what it is and has been like this for years now. I think AP is doing what they need to do seeing they attract pretty good crowds of families in the summer that likely don't care about the racing product.

I just wonder even with all the gate/concessions money how long they can sustain being viable. Their handle just keeps going down and down and wondering if going back to dirt would help with that a bit as so many refuse to play the poly.

I was assuming they would card something a little better tomorrow seeing as they are charging $18 for Derby day admission but somehow today's card is actually the better one.

I guess I just wanted to commiserate with some other IL locals as I find it sad I think the industry here is kind of in a death spiral they're not going to get out of.