Text of statement made to
Racing Board at Dates Award Hearing
September 19, 2006
"We are here representing the horsemen and horsewomen of The State of
Illinois, a group of legitimate business people with an investment, exclusive
of race track operations, of probably more than five billion dollars, looking
to achieve a fair and reasonable return on investment. We have evolved from two
or three persons racing down a dusty country road, for a Sunday meal or
bragging rights, to a multi-billion dollar industry comprised of serious
business people.
We recognize a concern for the more than forty-thousand people involved in
various activities relative to our industry.
We recognize that the organization licensees have substantial investment and
acknowledge that they also are serious business people and should expect a fair
and reasonable return on investment.
We also recognize that The State of
With these points in mind, and because we feel strongly that in order to help
to achieve the afore-mentioned fair and reasonable return on investment for all
parties involved, and to provide optimum number of racing opportunities, the
Illinois Harnesss Horsemen's Association would
respectfully request that the dates order grant seven race programs to be raced
seven days per week with the option being that upon agreement between the IHHA
and the organization licensees the schedule may be modified to a six day
schedule.
The exception to the above being that upon agreement between the IHHA and
organization licensee, Maywood/Balmoral, that the IHHA may support a six day
schedule for the period January/February providing for an additional program to
be conducted Saturday afternoons.
The IHHA would also request that the Board, in the dates order, make provision
to negate any negative impact as it relates to recapture, if any, due to agreed
upon off or dark days, if any.
"Thank you."
Dates Awarded for Harness Racing
in 2007:
187 live programs
Jan 1st thru Jun 20 & Aug 6th thru Dec 31st
Four nights per week - Tues. Weds. Sat. Sun
Matineess on Saturdays Jan.6th thru Feb. 17th
(Suburban Downs) :
39 live programs
June 22nd thru Aug 5th
Six nights per week - dark on
Maywood Park :
90 live programs
Jan 4th thru Jun 21st & Aug 9th thru Dec 28th
Two nights per week - Thurs & Fri
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