Arlington is a joke

[Trotman]

Just surfing on the net and decided to drop into the Arlington site and wow the win percentages and in the money percentages for the owners and trainers that are discussed on this site like an addiction, well just lets say their unreal. I will never bet ever again Arlington or for that fact any track run by Churchill Downs what they allow makes a mockery of racing, bottom line I think their purpose is to drive away the fans which is a sad state for a great game, they couldn't care less. RD must have some kind of power cause outside of the Kentucky Derby that track is less than half it former self cheap claimers outside of a few weekends.

[tbwinner]

You got that right Trotman. Seems every racing day their 2nd race is a mandatory $10k maiden claimer on the poly. I'm ashamed to call it my home track and have horses there (we just had a horse today finish 4th on the turf).

FCC destroys any essence of value with his horses dropping from being claimed at $15k to $5k (he's leading owner by more than 40 wins to Chris Block). Duchossois becomes extremely anal about the turf course this close to million day (yesterday we had little rain and they canceled turf yesterday, leaving us with poly). Our low purses bring in horrible fields, such as 6-7 horse fields (with scratches taking it down to 5) in bottom-barrel claimers.

You can't make money here, as a bettor or owner.

[thaskalos]

Arlington is not a joke...WE are...for keeping them in business!

[JustRalph]

Arlington is not a joke...WE are...for keeping them in business!

Good Point

Has Beyer written anything about this meet yet? I figure he will hammer them in the Post after the meet is over

[illinoisbred]

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the old,great Arlington Park. A brief film was shown which afterwards R.D. spoke a few words. He concluded by saying that right now they are in a struggle to just exist.

[njcurveball]

Just surfing on the net and decided to drop into the Arlington site and wow the win percentages and in the money percentages for the owners and trainers that are discussed on this site like an addiction, well just lets say their unreal.

Have you checked out Lou Pena at the Meadowlands? :eek:

[illinoisbred]

Good Point

Has Beyer written anything about this meet yet? I figure he will hammer them in the Post after the meet is over
Why doesn't he or someone prominent hammer them now? They 've fallen into a deep stupor of ineptitude and unconsciousness.

[Valuist]

Arlington WAS a great track but they have had problems for a number of years with the ultra high win percentages. Before Calabrese-Catalano/Canani/Miller, it was Noel Hickey who dominated in the early 90s. This was the pre-simulcasting days and many probably haven't heard of him. But he had one season where he won nearly 50% of his starts; with around 100 starters at that. He eventually trained for Duchossois and won a BC Turf race w/Buck's Boy and the Flower Bowl w/Lady Shirl before drug violations caught up with him.

In the "old" days, nobody would ever drop in class off a win. That was always interpreted as a severe negative. Nowadays, Calabrese does it regularly and usually wins. He doesn't care about the value of the horse; he needs to feed his enormous ego with his win total.

The final nail in the coffin was the move to Polytrack. I suspect it will be at least 10 years before they consider getting rid of it and by that time, RD won't be around and the land Arlington sits on could become condos or a shopping center.

[JustRalph]

Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the fire that destroyed the old,great Arlington Park. A brief film was shown which afterwards R.D. spoke a few words. He concluded by saying that right now they are in a struggle to just exist.

If I was the Fire Marshal for the area I might put on a stake out at night :lol:

[Trotman]

To all I remember the good days of Arlington and back then it was a great track, but now what a difference. And yeah I remember Noel Hickey.

[illinoisbred]

To all I remember the good days of Arlington and back then it was a great track, but now what a difference. And yeah I remember Noel Hickey.
Hickey was one of the 1st if not the first blood doper in Illinois. He basically acheived what the hyperbaric chamber does now.

[thaskalos]

I don't recall Noel Hickey being like Catalano, and the other trainers of today.

Hickey's success came on the grass. Today's "supertrainers" at Arlington, excell in every facet of the game...

[Hedevar]

Trotman,

I do not disagree with you. Thanks to Dick Duchossois and the Illinois Racing Board we are prevented from betting Saratoga, Del Mar and other classy tracks via ADW. The site you criticize so roundly consists of a few horseplayers attempting to beat the wise guys at their own game and the views show that other people are interested. We are in a bad spot and doing the best we can. Through analyzing trainer patterns and other information we have had some success. Illinois racing is on it's last legs and if Dick decides not to run at Arlington next year it would not break my heart. His greed knows no bounds.

[illinoisbred]

Wouldn't we all like to know what the man who quietly went about his business for 40 some years-Richard Hazleton, thought about the state of affairs here upon his retirement earlier this year?

[thaskalos]

Wouldn't we all like to know what the man who quietly went about his business for 40 some years-Richard Hazleton, thought about the state of affairs here upon his retirement earlier this year? Now THERE is an interesting interview for the DRF to conduct...

[Trotman]

Just to be proper I'll address all. I feel for you all because at one point Illinois racing was top drawer. GREED,GREED and MORE GREED by RD and his cronies is destroying a important vein in North American racing, there cannot be a strong North, East, South nor West without the Mid-West. Could someone tell me what it is in Chicago,christ Wirtz puts a shit team on the ice and yet you have to pay to watch the Blackhawks on tv,at least he's passed on and you have RD blocking feeds or bets from other tracks,plain old screw the fans that lined my pockets,hell these two just mentioned could have taught Capone a thing or two.

[Hedevar]

Let's not forget the $8.00 admission fee to Arlington. When I was at AP last week I talked to a number of people. That fee is a big issue.

[thaskalos]

Just to be proper I'll address all. I feel for you all because at one point Illinois racing was top drawer. GREED,GREED and MORE GREED by RD and his cronies is destroying a important vein in North American racing, there cannot be a strong North, East, South nor West without the Mid-West. Could someone tell me what it is in Chicago,christ Wirtz puts a shit team on the ice and yet you have to pay to watch the Blackhawks on tv,at least he's passed on and you have RD blocking feeds or bets from other tracks,plain old screw the fans that lined my pockets,hell these two just mentioned could have taught Capone a thing or two. And on top of all that...we have people on this very board, here...telling us Chicago-area bettors, how "informed" Duchossois is...and how we need more people like "tricky Dicky" in this game.

[illinoisbred]

And on top of all that...we have people on this very board, here...telling us Chicago-area bettors how "informed" Duchossois is...and how we need more people like "tricky Dicky" in this game.
I really thought he was good for Illinois way back when he 1st acquired the track. I admit to my grievious error now.

[Trotman]

I'll say one thing he didn't get all his money by being stupid. He'll shut down Arlington pay off the loans and make millions turning the land into more malls and big box stores, but don't kid yourself this man and family have more ghosts in the closets than many.

[thaskalos]

I'll say one thing he didn't get all his money by being stupid. He'll shut down Arlington pay off the loans and make millions turning the land into more malls and big box stores...A good riddance!

[bane]

Arlington just needs a change of hands, I am not sold on slots like everybode else.

Plus I would hate to see it go (again), The Million is still a race I look forward to every summer.
<----Take a big hint why!

[ALostTexan]

On the positive side, Arlington does offer three of the hottest people you will see flipping through the signals...

[rwwupl]

And on top of all that...we have people on this very board, here...telling us Chicago-area bettors, how "informed" Duchossois is...and how we need more people like "tricky Dicky" in this game.


I admit being a fan of Richard Duchossois, based on his friendly attitude in the early 90's to the fans and rebuilding after the fire a great racetrack .When Cliff Goodrich took over as president,I thought it was good then... but my view may have been influenced because perhaps I knew Goodrich from his days as President of Santa Anita,and see him occasionally here.
I will defer to your local opinion as you apparently are close to the scene and things do change. Could you be more specific as to your "beef" with Duchossois? I think he is 80 now and still the largest stockholder in Churchill Downs.

What makes him "Tricky Dicky" and can we separate the Illinois Racing Board and horseman groups and the ADW signal, unless you think he is responsible for everything from your beef?

[only11]

Arlington WAS a great track but they have had problems for a number of years with the ultra high win percentages. Before Calabrese-Catalano/Canani/Miller, it was Noel Hickey who dominated in the early 90s. This was the pre-simulcasting days and many probably haven't heard of him. But he had one season where he won nearly 50% of his starts; with around 100 starters at that. He eventually trained for Duchossois and won a BC Turf race w/Buck's Boy and the Flower Bowl w/Lady Shirl before drug violations caught up with him.

In the "old" days, nobody would ever drop in class off a win. That was always interpreted as a severe negative. Nowadays, Calabrese does it regularly and usually wins. He doesn't care about the value of the horse; he needs to feed his enormous ego with his win total.

The final nail in the coffin was the move to Polytrack. I suspect it will be at least 10 years before they consider getting rid of it and by that time, RD won't be around and the land Arlington sits on could become condos or a shopping center.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE ARLINGTON MILLION?

[Valuist]

I don't recall Noel Hickey being like Catalano, and the other trainers of today.

Hickey's success came on the grass. Today's "supertrainers" at Arlington, excell in every facet of the game...

When you are winning 48% of your races with a big sample size, does it matter if its only on one surface? Hickey wasn't doing it with horses dropping off a win. Granted many were Illinois breds but many were also class risers too. None of the Calabrese dropdown crap.

As for the Arlington Million, if AP were to fold, I could see another track picking it up. When Ak Sar Ben folded, Prairie picked up the Cornhusker Cap. The Million was run for one year at Woodbine after Arlington burned down.

Funny that it has been 25 years. I remember blowing off an afternoon of classes in DeKalb to drive to Arlington two days before it burned down.

[Bruddah]

If I was the Fire Marshal for the area I might put on a stake out at night :lol:

I lived in Chicago during the first burning and visited Arlington up to 10-12 times each year thru the 90's and the second burning. I could never understand how steel girders/beams and a little wood could be so combustible. Especially with modern fire stations within a mile or two. Damned place went up like a Roman Candle. (both times)

Therefore, I hope we are invited for the roast at Arlington. :lol:

[illinoisbred]

I lived in Chicago during the first burning and visited Arlington up to 10-12 times each year thru the 90's and the second burning. I could never understand how steel girders/beams and a little wood could be so combustible. Especially with modern fire stations within a mile or two. Damned place went up like a Roman Candle. (both times)

Therefore, I hope we are invited for the roast at Arlington. :lol:
Are you thinking of the "old" Hawthorne as the 2nd fire? I remember going to that rickety,tinder box as a kid. Always surprised a snuffed out cigarette didn't set it ablaze. Oh, and Washington Park burned down too.

[Striker]

There was ABSOLUTELY no reason to cancel the turf racing this past saturday. No rain overnight and no rain coming that day, it was only in the 80s though. The races that came off turned into the typical Arlington joke of a race. For all the followers of the ADW issues in Illinois right now--There are multiple blurbs in the simulcast programs at Arlington that say YOU CAN BET ON ALL RACES AND TRACKS AT ARLINGTON PARK AND ARLINGTON OTBs.

[illinoisbred]

They didn't get rain? We had well over 2 inches Friday night into saturday morning up here 25 miles NW. Turf was labeled soft today although Alyssa didn't step out on it or report how far her heels sunk.

[Striker]

I guess I can't speak 100% to that because I am about 20 minutes NE of Arlington. All I know is my grass wasn't remotely wet when I left to go there at Noon on Saturday. There is no way I got 2 inches or even 1 inch. Even so, IMO they should not have abandoned turf racing that day, but are freaking about the one day that they will actually do okay here in 3 weeks. I believe Hed agrees here from an earlier post in this thread.

And IB thanks for letting me in on Tazz on Friday I would of hit the late pick 4 if I had him busted out with Voy Por Uno and Mr. Mischief. It paid ridiculously.

[thaskalos]

I admit being a fan of Richard Duchossois, based on his friendly attitude in the early 90's to the fans and rebuilding after the fire a great racetrack .When Cliff Goodrich took over as president,I thought it was good then... but my view may have been influenced because perhaps I knew Goodrich from his days as President of Santa Anita,and see him occasionally here.
I will defer to your local opinion as you apparently are close to the scene and things do change. Could you be more specific as to your "beef" with Duchossois? I think he is 80 now and still the largest stockholder in Churchill Downs.

What makes him "Tricky Dicky" and can we separate the Illinois Racing Board and horseman groups and the ADW signal, unless you think he is responsible for everything from your beef? Sure Roger...I'll be more specific:

When Arlington Park was burned down in 1985...Mr. Duchossois - in a show of courageous leadership - declared that the Arlington Million would still be run there a few weeks later, inspite of the damage caused by the blaze.

The mess was cleaned up, and temporary benches and tents were put in place to accommodate the fans...as Mr. D. asked us for our support in this difficult time. He professed his undying loyalty to us...and promised that the new track would exceed our wildest expectations.

Not only did the people show up for the Million - in this "picnic" environment - we showed up in droves!

So enthusiastic was the fans' reaction...that the Arlington "brass" got the idea of holding entire meets under these deplorable conditions. Once again Mr. D. was on hand to plead for our support, promising that our support would never be forgotten.

Entire meets were held in tents, with park benches and folding chairs...in sweltering conditions...without a peep of protest from the fans...who wanted to show support for their courageous leader.

The new track was up and running in 1989...and it was majestic. But Mr. D.'s "undying" loyalty to the fans - who were so loyal to him - was short-lived.

A few years later, Mr. D. demanded substantial tax breaks from the state...but the state politicians proved unaccommodating. Push came to shove, and Mr.D. proclaimed that if he didn't get the tax brakes he asked for...he would shut down the track. The fans were shocked...but none of us believed him.

The tax breaks didn't materialize, and Mr.D., unapologetically closed down the track...leaving the fans stunned!

And as if that wasn't enough...Mr. Duchossois granted an interview to a local newspaper (the Daily Herald), in which he made some enlightening revelations.

He stated that he never cared much for horseracing...and seldom even found the time to watch his own horses run. As far as the new Arlington Racetrack was concerned...he said that the ONLY reason he re-built it was as a favor for his good friend...then Governor Jim Edgar.

As it turned out...the fans never played a role in his decision at all!

Of course, the state politicians backed down, and gave him the tax brakes he so desperately needed...and the track was re-opened...AFTER A TWO YEAR SHUT-DOWN!

And would you believe it...there was Mr. Duchossois again, sporting the same fake smile, again proclaiming his undying love for the game, and his loyalty to the fans...as if the last 2 years, and the scathing interview, never happened - but were a figment of our imagination.

Even as late as yesterday...he seized the opportunity presented by the 25th year anniversary of the fire, to deliver to us his message that the track "is trying to hang on"...one last attempt to "con" us back to his dying track...one final time.

But this time...the fans are not listening. Even the Arlington fan smartens up, after awhile...

[tbwinner]

Striker, I agree: there was no reason to go off-turf Saturday. Very little rain fell around me (20 minutes south of Arlington) and it didn't seem bad when I was up there for morning workouts that morn. But then again we are 2/3 weeks from Million Day and Duchossois (& the rest of mgmt) gets extremely protective of it. I'm surprised they even left them on today.

[WinterTriangle]

Sorry about your track in ILL people.:(

As it turned out...the fans never played a role in his decision at all!

Of course, the state politicians backed down, and gave him the tax brakes he so desperately needed...and the track was re-opened...AFTER A TWO YEAR SHUT-DOWN!.

Fans aren't going to be valued over money. If the state gave him tax breaks there was something in it for them. Some other deal or thing they needed from him in return.

There are few track execs who will *fight* to stay alive, unless very special circumstances like with charles Cella and Oaklawn, it being a family-owned track and the family legacy was important to him and he loves racing and called in every favor and every strong hand he could muster (and he had way more pull than the syndicates thought. ;) )

Otherwise, it can only be about the bottom line, and space and real estate has to make money.


BTW, Bruddah, I was at Oaklawn, off season, this weekend. Walked thru the casino on Fri night on way to racing side and it was not busy. Placed a few more wagers on Sat and did the same walk thru, went back later after errands about dinner time and it still was not busy. Of course, it was like 104+ degrees or worse, and there was this huge yearly HOGS rally (harley motorcycle riders) so many people may have been avoiding Central Ave. altogether :) It WAS packed during July 4th weekend though. It's still hard to see how tracks survive during non racing season. the casinos probably are not pulling it in I don't think in this economy?

Maybe there should only be like 5 tracks in the US and make them into *destinations* with everything, similar to Disneyland vacation?

Or maybe they should all be family owned. Would be great to build a track wouldn't it? :D

[bildi66]

I live in Palatine, about 3-4 miles due north of Arlington. I had 1.9 inches of rain in my gauge on saturday morning........

[rwwupl]

Sure Roger...I'll be more specific:

When Arlington Park was burned down in 1985...Mr. Duchossois - in a show of courageous leadership - declared that the Arlington Million would still be run there a few weeks later, inspite of the damage caused by the blaze.

The mess was cleaned up, and temporary benches and tents were put in place to accommodate the fans...as Mr. D. asked us for our support in this difficult time. He professed his undying loyalty to us...and promised that the new track would exceed our wildest expectations.

Not only did the people show up for the Million - in this "picnic" environment - we showed up in droves!

So enthusiastic was the fans' reaction...that the Arlington "brass" got the idea of holding entire meets under these deplorable conditions. Once again Mr. D. was on hand to plead for our support, promising that our support would never be forgotten.

Entire meets were held in tents, with park benches and folding chairs...in sweltering conditions...without a peep of protest from the fans...who wanted to show support for their courageous leader.

The new track was up and running in 1989...and it was majestic. But Mr. D.'s "undying" loyalty to the fans - who were so loyal to him - was short-lived.

A few years later, Mr. D. demanded substantial tax breaks from the state...but the state politicians proved unaccommodating. Push came to shove, and Mr.D. proclaimed that if he didn't get the tax brakes he asked for...he would shut down the track. The fans were shocked...but none of us believed him.

The tax breaks didn't materialize, and Mr.D., unapologetically closed down the track...leaving the fans stunned!

And as if that wasn't enough...Mr. Duchossois granted an interview to a local newspaper (the Daily Herald), in which he made some enlightening revelations.

He stated that he never cared much for horseracing...and seldom even found the time to watch his own horses run. As far as the new Arlington Racetrack was concerned...he said that the ONLY reason he re-built it was as a favor for his good friend...then Governor Jim Edgar.

As it turned out...the fans never played a role in his decision at all!

Of course, the state politicians backed down, and gave him the tax brakes he so desperately needed...and the track was re-opened...AFTER A TWO YEAR SHUT-DOWN!

And would you believe it...there was Mr. Duchossois again, sporting the same fake smile, again proclaiming his undying love for the game, and his loyalty to the fans...as if the last 2 years, and the scathing interview, never happened - but were a figment of our imagination.

Even as late as yesterday...he seized the opportunity presented by the 25th year anniversary of the fire, to deliver to us his message that the track "is trying to hang on"...one last attempt to "con" us back to his dying track...one final time.

But this time...the fans are not listening. Even the Arlington fan smartens up, after awhile...

Thaskalos.. Thanks for your opinion. From reading your thoughts it seems that your opinion centers around the fact that the fans supported him after the fire/rebuild and then his shutdown to gain tax breaks angered you. You chose to believe one "scathing " interview,even though other interviews before and since have contradicted what was reported.

I can understand residents of Illinois being sour on political matters in the State, as voters have had four Governors in a row with serious problems with the law... including "Blago". I am not a fan of synthetic tracks and I understand that problem.

I feel that anyone who has spent most of his life involved with horse racing,and made substantial investments in the game must have some like for it beyond "doing it for a friend". Horse racing is in a down cycle right now, but things will get better because the people love horse racing ,if presented in a proper and fair way.

Richard Duchossois is about 89 now, and the following interview was done in April of this year...
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=377147

excerpt:

As he watched over opening day at Arlington Park Thursday, Chairman Richard Duchossois talked about the present and future of the horse racing industry.

Duchossois, now 88, said he expects the next few years to be tough, but believes that the improving economy will eventually benefit racing as well - although he adds that having slot machines are essential to the industry's survival.

Here is an edited version of an interview with Duchossois on Thursday

Read more with comments...punch link above

[rwwupl]

P.S.--There are things that I do not agree with too..I think horse racing has to stand on its own for the long term success that it deserves...without crutches like slots...that is a slippery slope.

rwwupl

[thaskalos]

Thaskalos.. Thanks for your opinion. From reading your thoughts it seems that your opinion centers around the fact that the fans supported him after the fire/rebuild and then his shutdown to gain tax breaks angered you. You chose to believe one "scathing " interview,even though other interviews before and since have contradicted what was reported.

I can understand residents of Illinois being sour on political matters in the State, as voters have had four Governors in a row with serious problems with the law... including "Blago". I am not a fan of synthetic tracks and I understand that problem.

I feel that anyone who has spent most of his life involved with horse racing,and made substantial investments in the game must have some like for it beyond "doing it for a friend". Horse racing is in a down cycle right now, but things will get better because the people love horse racing ,if presented in a proper and fair way.

Richard Duchossois is about 89 now, and the following interview was done in April of this year...
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=377147

excerpt:



Read more with comments...punch link above The thing that angered me the most was not the closing down of the track...nor the "scathing" interview in the Daily Herald. (He was NOT misquoted BTW, - the interview was in a Q&A format, just like the one you posted above - and it included other spiteful comments of his, which I didn't bother mentioning).

What angered me most was the fact that he again continued his "fan-loyalty bullshit" when he re-opened the track, in 2000. Same fan-friendly smile, and hand-shakes, and the same promises of gratitude and loyalty to the fans...as if we were idiots, and the last 2 years never happened.

This is the problem in a nutshell, IMO.

The fans' intelligence is not readily recognized by race track management. They either think that we are "addicts", as trainer Jeff Mullins stated in 2005...or that we are too stupid to realize that we are being "robbed".

Is there another industry that has such an adversarial relationship with its customers?

The racetracks empty our pockets with unfair taxes...like the ever-rising takeout, OTB surcharges, breakage, etc,...while the horsemen have made a science out of deceiving us - by legal or illegal means.

[Hedevar]

The thing that angered me the most was not the closing down of the track...nor the "scathing" interview in the Daily Herald. (He was NOT misquoted BTW, - the interview was in a Q&A format, just like the one you posted above - and it included other spiteful comments of his, which I didn't bother mentioning).

What angered me most was the fact that he again continued his "fan-loyalty bullshit" when he re-opened the track, in 2000. Same fan-friendly smile, and hand-shakes, and the same promises of gratitude and loyalty to the fans...as if we were idiots, and the last 2 years never happened.

This is the problem in a nutshell, IMO.

The fans' intelligence is not readily recognized by race track management. They either think that we are "addicts", as trainer Jeff Mullins stated in 2005...or that we are too stupid to realize that we are being "robbed".

Is there another industry that has such an adversarial relationship with its customers?

The racetracks empty our pockets with unfair taxes...like the ever-rising takeout, OTB surcharges, breakage, etc,...while the horsemen have made a science out of deceiving us - by legal or illegal means.

Excellent post.

[Bruddah]

Are you thinking of the "old" Hawthorne as the 2nd fire? I remember going to that rickety,tinder box as a kid. Always surprised a snuffed out cigarette didn't set it ablaze. Oh, and Washington Park burned down too.

Your memory is better than mine, I'm sure. Seems the first fire was about 1985 or '86. I thought it burned again in the 90's (I had moved by '87 but flying into Chicago sometimes once or twice a month for a long period of time) If I'm incorrect, I appreciate the correction. :ThmbUp:

[wisconsin]

Your memory is better than mine, I'm sure. Seems the first fire was about 1985 or '86. I thought it burned again in the 90's (I had moved by '87 but flying into Chicago sometimes once or twice a month for a long period of time) If I'm incorrect, I appreciate the correction. :ThmbUp:


The tote board burned back in 2003 or so.

A personal thought, as I sense split feelings about R D. Lest we forget what he and his partners did in 1984, buying out the track from the Madison Square Garden Corporation and ousting the track President John Mooney the looney. Arlington was really heading for the toilet after announcer Phil Georgeoff was fired and horsemen were boycotting the lasix issue. Remember all of those 3 horse fields back in August 1982? I'll never forget the day of the 1982 Arlington Futurity. 15,000 fans booing poor John Imbriale so loud, it was pretty creepy, almost felt like a riot was going to beak out. When Sportsman's expanded, and later closed, the landscape of Chicago racing changed forever.

[Valuist]

The tote board burned back in 2003 or so.

A personal thought, as I sense split feelings about R D. Lest we forget what he and his partners did in 1984, buying out the track from the Madison Square Garden Corporation and ousting the track President John Mooney the looney. Arlington was really heading for the toilet after announcer Phil Georgeoff was fired and horsemen were boycotting the lasix issue. Remember all of those 3 horse fields back in August 1982? I'll never forget the day of the 1982 Arlington Futurity. 15,000 fans booing poor John Imbriale so loud, it was pretty creepy, almost felt like a riot was going to beak out. When Sportsman's expanded, and later closed, the landscape of Chicago racing changed forever.

Sportsmans was a great track. As much of a "horse for course" track as I've ever seen. Things were great until apprentice Rodney Dickens was thrown off his horse and trampled to death. D. Wayne Lukas said he would "never send another horse to Sportsmans as long as it was a bullring," as if the bullring was the reason for the spill (it wasn't).

So Spt management panicked and decided to reconfigure the track to 7/8 mile (from 5/8). Only problem was the turns were as sharp as ever and the straightaways were ridiculously long. The fans and horsemen never liked the shift and Spt management thought that an auto racetrack outside the t-bred track would work. Needless to say, they were wrong.

[wisconsin]

They really did ruin a good thing. Before the fisrt expansion, the stretch was already 902 feet. Was just a unique track with long straightaways, and I sure do miss it.

[Bruddah]

Wisconsin and Valuist both bring back memories of Chicago racing, I had forgoten long ago. A fond memory of the first time John Henry ran at Arlington (either first or second Million?) I had him covered at the windows like a solid green suit. I made mucho denaro and we partied very hardy that nite. I think I was 35, single and nuevo riche.

Winter Triangle, I look forward to getting a lot of the old Hottalkers gang and you together at Oaklawn. I think if we all get our collective handicapping heads together we can find a few nice winners.

[therussmeister]

So Spt management panicked and decided to reconfigure the track to 7/8 mile (from 5/8). Only problem was the turns were as sharp as ever and the straightaways were ridiculously long. The fans and horsemen never liked the shift and Spt management thought that an auto racetrack outside the t-bred track would work. Needless to say, they were wrong.
I loved the original 7/8 mile configuration, was my favorite track.

[Hedevar]

I loved the original 7/8 mile configuration, was my favorite track.

The original was 5/8 and the conversion was 7/8. Was it the converted 7/8 you liked or the original 5/8? I was a fan of the 5/8.

[Niko]

Hickey was one of the 1st if not the first blood doper in Illinois. He basically acheived what the hyperbaric chamber does now.

I remember Hickey, deadly on the turf with the win percentages as stated. I always wondered what they found him doing because once they stopped it, all of a sudden he was a below average trainer.

The "substance" he was suspended for was albuterol, a bronchilator. I'm not convinced that was the substance he was using because it wouldn't explain the drastic change in win percentages before/after. Whatever it was, he was never the same trainer after being busted. I guess he's someone else who just forgot to train in a hurry.

Now we have a whole legion of Noel Hickey's. It's become a game of who can find the "undetectable" edge.

[Steve 'StatMan']

Your memory is better than mine, I'm sure. Seems the first fire was about 1985 or '86. I thought it burned again in the 90's (I had moved by '87 but flying into Chicago sometimes once or twice a month for a long period of time) If I'm incorrect, I appreciate the correction. :ThmbUp:

The second closing, affecting 1998 & 1999, wasn't due to fire. It was due to the tax isses and the fees race tracks were charged to operate in IL. Mr. D. had originally wanted to rebuild up north near Gurnee & Great America, but said that because of pleas from the fans and the local governental bodies, he was willing to rebuild if they kept his taxes at the same level as 1985. He said he had handshake argreements with all, but turns out only the City of Arlington Heights kept that agreement, the rest taxed the heck out of him based on his new accessed value on the palace he built to himself. His real estate taxes were more than all of the Chicagoland sports venues plus Great America - Combined! Plus there were high 'privilege' fees that IL required to run a race track, but I'll argue that by 1997, and the riverboat (moatboats!) competition, it really wasn't much of a privilege to own and operate a horse racing track in IL anymore.

I'm just trying to add some background info to the arguments, not taking sides in the arguments.

[mostpost]

The main problem at Sportsmans was the idiotic idea that it could be both a horse racing track and an auto racing track. I remember going to Sportsmans after the transition. The clubhouse was still in place but the grandstand had been torn down and replaced by steel bleachers. Since Sportsmans raced in early spring and late fall this did not lead to a comfortable experience.
For the auto races they had erected a ten foot high concrete wall along the homestretch. So if you were on the apron it was impossible to see the horses. There was a stairway up and down over the wall so you could stand in about five feet of room at the rail. Up ten steps and down ten steps every time. :bang:

Of course the fact that they were running auto races, meant that one of the premier Harness meets in the country was now cancelled.
And the auto races? I think they lasted one year. The uproar in the community over the noise and traffic was very intense. The area west of Sportsmans is residential and people blocks away could not carry on a conversation on race days.

[Hedevar]

How much do you think Bidwill regrets that move?

[wisconsin]

How much do you think Bidwill regrets that move?

Tremendously, I'm sure. Makes me sad to think about the time I spent at that place, and now it's gone.

[nearco]

What was the idea behind Sportsman's and Hawthorne being right next to each other? That seemed odd.

[Hedevar]

What was the idea behind Sportsman's and Hawthorne being right next to each other? That seemed odd.

There's a lot of history to Sportsman's. It used to be a dog track owned by Al Capone. When Capone went to prison Charles Bidwill who was also connected to Hawthorne aquired Sportsman's and it became a racetrack in the early 1930's. Hawthorne had been there since the 1890's. They shared stable space. If I recall correctly Hawthorne only ran thoroughbreds for about six weeks a year in the fall until the late 60s when they started running harness racing. I believe Hawthorne ran a spring thoroughbred meet early in the 70's because of a tote board fire at another track. Sportsman's and Hawthorne rarely if ever ran simultaneous meets because of the lack of stable space.

[macguy]

Is the old Sportsman's property used for anything these days?

[Steve 'StatMan']

Is the old Sportsman's property used for anything these days?

Last I knew the property was totally leveled, and awaiting development. Owned I believe by City of Cicero now (Hawthorne's property is in Stickney.) Two different plans were made, but delays due to finanicing and now the economy has put things on hold last I knew. There was even the possiblity of it having some use if Chicago had gotten the 2016 Olympics. Some talk included the Hawthorne property. But that was talk, and no Olympics (thankfully!)

[therussmeister]

The original was 5/8 and the conversion was 7/8. Was it the converted 7/8 you liked or the original 5/8? I was a fan of the 5/8.
When they put in auto racing they changed the configuration, but was still 7/8. I liked the first 7/8 configuration.

[Valuist]

When they put in auto racing they changed the configuration, but was still 7/8. I liked the first 7/8 configuration.

Did they even change the track once the auto track was put outside it? It was 5/8th of a mile the most of the tracks existance, although I think it may have been 1/2 mile back in the Capone days. It wasn't 7/8 until the early 90s, after Lukas' infamous comment. Amazing how few horses DWL ran at Spt, yet his comment was the start of the end for Sportsmans.

[illinoisbred]

I think Lukas made his derogatory remarks about Sportsmans in response to the poor performance of War in the Illinois Derby. Can't remember the year but think it was the year Lost Code won.

[alhattab]

I think Lukas made his derogatory remarks about Sportsmans in response to the poor performance of War in the Illinois Derby. Can't remember the year but think it was the year Lost Code won.

If it was Lost Code it was 1987

[Hoofless_Wonder]

I hardly think Richard Duchossois is an angel, but I blame the state and local politics (including the IRB) is a much bigger factor in the decline of racing in the state. Too much greed and graft for Mr. D. to overcome - IL is worse than CA or NY. His method to combat those factors has proven to be ineffective now, including this last desperate attempt to bleed the ADW players dry. Arlington was so much more classy than the other IL tracks, but of course that ain't saying much.

Three members of the IRB have had their terms lapse, but continue to "serve" until the GUVner gets around to appointing another crony. What a crock. Hope they go out of business sooner rather than later, so we can get back to betting Saratoga.

As for Sportsmens, a truly unique track. Back in the mid and late 80's a buddy of mine would bet 90% of his annual bankroll during the Spt's meet - the bias would be so strong - speed on the rail one day, rail dead as doornail the next. One horse I remember was Energetic King - he won the DoubleRab in back-to-back years, 24-1 and 12-1. Had him both times and was cackling like a chimp. As soon as out-of-state simulcasting came along though, then I got hooked on the NY, FL and CA circuits....

[Striker]

CDI released 2nd quarter reports this afternoon.
Arlington revenue last 3 months is down 9%, not as bad as I thought it would be. Total revenue for the last 6 months is down 22% at Arlington, Fairgrounds is down 8%, Calder is down 2%, and Churchill is up 1%. Total revenue for CDI is up 11% from last year.

[wisconsin]

One horse I remember was Energetic King - he won the DoubleRab in back-to-back years, 24-1 and 12-1. Had him both times and was cackling like a chimp.


Wow! I was there the 2nd time. He got clobbered at Hawthorne in the Chicago HCP by some 53 lengths in December, was entered the day before the Double Rab for 7500, and was scratched. I'll never forget the sight of trainer Larry Donlin and the owner running accross the apron after the race. They were hanging out down by the paddock where they were gonna unsaddle the horse. He was what, 9 years old or so? That horse won a bunch of stakes from Nebraska to Illinois to New Mexico, and came back to try at 10.