Arlington Park saga

[Scav]

I know you are local to here, but how well do you know Arlington Park and CDI?

I'm asking because this is much of the same stuff that has been happening for years, and its essentially soured me on local racing.

This upcoming Arlington meet is going to be horrid, I'm guessing one step above the bottom. Specifically, MSW purses 2 years ago were 40k, I think I saw they are 26k this coming meet, good luck to horseman trying to survive on that unless day rates were cut in half also (and this isn't an horseman issue)

Its sad because its the nicest track in the country and its gets the biggest draw of people considering the racing product they put there, and AP/CDI knows that people will still come out regardless of what racing product they try and recruit.

And this whole thing that slots will save them is a bunch of BS. There are these local slot parlors that have circumvented the law around here now called Pennys, they put a deli in there selling $2 hot dogs and have 8 slot machines, well, those are not surviving or not meeting projections, yet they want to put more machines in the state.

As another side note, word was from someone that is somewhat reliable that Mr D tried to buy back Arlington from CDI, offered them CDI stock plus some cash, total of 150 million. CDI said no, countered at 300 million, and said something to the effect of, 'that is what the land is worth'.

The second that old man dies (he is mid 90s now), Arlington will become a resemblance of what it is.

[Easy Goer Otis]

Totally agree with your assessment, scav. This is the first year, I am looking at Arlington from an owner's perspective and it's worse than I thought.

I'll probably still hang out on a grassy hill and watch some races on a nice sunny summer day, but will likely not see many of my own horses run there.

Tom Proctor's twitter reply to Arlington Race Course recently:

Arlington Intl. ‏@Arlington_Park Mar 20

A big #WelcomeSpring from Arlington!

We may not have this much green yet, but at least we know it's coming soon!

Tom Proctor @TProctorRacing

@Arlington_Park @HRTVinsider maybe grass but not $$$$



Don't think we'll be seeing Tom bring many horses up to AP this year after that comment.

O

[Easy Goer Otis]

In fact, the best strategy might be to pick off a few talented horses whose owners are fed up with AP and race them on other poly tracks like PID or Woodbine.

[Uncle Daddy]

Otis & Scav,
So assuming they negotiate something 11th hour and salvage a half ass meet, all the issues get kicked down the road to 2016?

When you try to explain to someone that is is not an old decaying venue but a true gem of a property , you get that quizzical look from non Chicagoans.

[saratogadew]

Originally Posted by Uncle Daddy

Otis & Scav,
So assuming they negotiate something 11th hour and salvage a half ass meet, all the issues get kicked down the road to 2016?

When you try to explain to someone that is is not an old decaying venue but a true gem of a property , you get that quizzical look from non Chicagoans.

I'm a non Chicagoan and totally agree with you. It is a beautiful racetrack. I was there for the first time three years ago and absolutely loved it. In my top 3 with Saratoga and Keeneland.

[JJP]

Originally Posted by Scav

I know you are local to here, but how well do you know Arlington Park and CDI?

I'm asking because this is much of the same stuff that has been happening for years, and its essentially soured me on local racing.

This upcoming Arlington meet is going to be horrid, I'm guessing one step above the bottom. Specifically, MSW purses 2 years ago were 40k, I think I saw they are 26k this coming meet, good luck to horseman trying to survive on that unless day rates were cut in half also (and this isn't an horseman issue)

Its sad because its the nicest track in the country and its gets the biggest draw of people considering the racing product they put there, and AP/CDI knows that people will still come out regardless of what racing product they try and recruit.

And this whole thing that slots will save them is a bunch of BS. There are these local slot parlors that have circumvented the law around here now called Pennys, they put a deli in there selling $2 hot dogs and have 8 slot machines, well, those are not surviving or not meeting projections, yet they want to put more machines in the state.

As another side note, word was from someone that is somewhat reliable that Mr D tried to buy back Arlington from CDI, offered them CDI stock plus some cash, total of 150 million. CDI said no, countered at 300 million, and said something to the effect of, 'that is what the land is worth'.

The second that old man dies (he is mid 90s now), Arlington will become a resemblance of what it is.

When I started following Chicago racing around 1983-1984, the purses now are no bigger than they were then. That's over 30 years with no net gains. No wonder Chicago racing is in the toilet.

[Easy Goer Otis]

Today's letter from the ITHA. AP/CDI strangely silent on advocating slots at AP. New governor in Springfield, so why not take another run at it?

It's Past Time for AP/CDI to Renew

Its Support for Slots at Tracks Agreement

Message from ITHA Legislative Committee


Dear Fellow Horsemen:

Five years ago, representatives of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Arlington Park/Churchill Downs Inc., and other industry leaders met and negotiated the terms of the agreement that would become of the basis of the slots-at-tracks bills that lawmakers have since approved.



Though the state's previous governor, unfortunately, twice vetoed that legislation, the ITHA and other horse racing stakeholders are continuing to advocate for final passage of that plan. Once approved and implemented, slots at tracks will improve our purses and, in doing so, position Illinois racing to again compete with racing in other states already using slot revenue to enhance purses.

But conspicuously absent from the voices publicly advocating for passage of that gaming bill during this spring session is AP/CDI. Though the ITHA, Hawthorne Racecourse, the Illinois Harness Horseman's Association, and other organizations with a direct interest in that legislation are unequivocal in our commitment to the terms we brokered in 2010, AP/CDI - the same entity fond of admonishing others across the industry to stay in unity - has declined to publicly renew its support.

Indeed, in light of AP/CDI's incessant refusal to negotiate with the ITHA in good faith over a contract with owners and trainers for the 2015 season, we must wonder whether AP/CDI is deliberately scuttling contract negotiations to hamstring horsemen and distract attention from efforts to obstruct the slots-at-tracks agreement. (In a recent racing industry meeting on gaming, an AP/CDI official advised that the agreed gaming bill does not meet its desired "return on investment.")

The agreed slots-at-tracks legislation includes three provisions, in particular, embodying the priorities of Illinois horsemen:

1) Agreed rates to support purses.

2) Guaranteed live racing opportunities.

3) Elimination of recapture. (In 2014, Illinois tracks took an estimated $13.19 million in recapture subsidies - dollars removed from horsemen purses to subsidize track operations.)

It may be the case that AP/CDI continues to honor its agreement to these terms but that, for reasons that are not clear, it is refraining from stating that publicly. Or it may be the case that AP/CDI has abandoned its agreement - in which case all Illinois horsemen, as well as all of the other parties that negotiated those terms with AP/CDI, deserve to know exactly where AP/CDI now stands - and whether it is now advocating for terms against our interests.

The stakes are far too high for the Illinois horse racing industry, and the tens of thousands of jobs that we support across Illinois, for us not to know who's on board and who is not.

Sincerely,

The ITHA Legislative Committee:

President Mike Campbell

Vice-President Chris Block

[dellinger63]

Fan-friendly Arlington; Derby Day

$14.00 General Admission
$2.50 Program
$5.00 per cooler (no alcohol allowed whatsoever)
$5.00 preferred parking


http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/Tick...value=05022015

[South Beach Luv]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Fan-friendly Arlington; Derby Day

$14.00 General Admission
$2.50 Program
$5.00 per cooler (no alcohol allowed whatsoever)
$5.00 preferred parking


http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/Tick...value=05022015

Just saw $25 on Million Day for General Admission. Glad the wifey gets in for free and it might take a few superstars (Lady Eli in Beverly D please ) to get me there this year.

[-BT-]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Fan-friendly Arlington; Derby Day

$14.00 General Admission
$2.50 Program
$5.00 per cooler (no alcohol allowed whatsoever)
$5.00 preferred parking


http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/Tick...value=05022015

CDI is really running with all this California Chrome momentum this year... Derby tickets are near impossible to get, and calling for $14 GA at their tracks is pretty ridiculous.
Just head to the back side OTB, or live life dangerously and hang out at Joe's on Weed Street, that only sets you back $2.....but the drifters there make $14 seem like a steal at AP.

-bt-

[Left Bank]

Come and race at Canterbury Park. They will treat you right. Beautiful grass course. Well cared for track. I think you would like it.

[tomm5647]

Dellinger63 your post shows exactly why racing is dying in the area. It has little to do with slot machines. CDI apparently is planning a business model that does not include live fans. I have lived in the area my entire life and I have been going to AP since the early 1970s. It's criminal the way they squeeze the fans at every opportunity. Customer service means follow all of our directives or stay home. I now attend the live races only once or twice per year. I play at home or at the local OTB where there is no admission charge and frequent food and beverage specials. When I watch the feeds from other tracks at home or the OTB I get angry. Golden Gate regularly schedules dollar Sundays with $1 admission, program, hot dogs and beers. When I asked one of the Customer service reps when AP was going to try something similar I was told the chance was slim or none. If I go to the races with my wife and sister they will not even let me purchase 3 beers at once at the stands. Protecting me from overserving myself. If these customer service wizards had spent any time at the track they would realize that 98% of the customers that they have are trying to go home with more money that they came with. Guzzling multiple beers even at a low price doesn't help you make intelligent handicapping decisions. I'll stay far away from AP this year and I'm sure they will not miss me but when the doors close for good and they blame the politicians refusal to OK slots those of us who tried to be customers will know the real story.