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Poe wants to expand state fairgounds harness racing

Posted December 19, 2007 10:00 pm

Doug Finke

As state lawmakers debate whether to expand gambling in Illinois, Rep. Raymond Poe wants to see that Springfield gets a piece of the action.

Poe, a Springfield Republican, is pushing the idea of holding harness races - and the betting that goes with them - at the Illinois State Fairgrounds beyond the limited run of the 10-day fair itself.

"The facility is there," Poe said. "Someone could come in and make it work. I think it would be a great revenue source."

Poe's idea has already been raised in gaming discussions between House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, and House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.

"I brought it up with the speaker," Cross said Wednesday. "It was not rejected."

But neither is it on the front burner, Cross said. A number of other gambling issues have been on the table longer, and negotiators think they are closer to resolving those without injecting a new element into the debate.

"It's more of a timing issue," Cross said. "The concept of more racing and utilizing the fairgrounds, I think it would be good for horse racing."

Poe described the idea as "very preliminary." The questions of when additional races would be held and for how many days have not been resolved.

Poe said local governments could get a share of the money bet on the races.

The only three Illinois tracks that now stage regular harness races are all in the Chicago area.

"I think a lot of people have to haul horses to Chicago to race," Poe said. "We've got 600 stalls out at the fairgrounds. It would be a way to fill those."

Steve Brubaker, who represents the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association, said breeders like the idea of another outlet in Illinois.

"We have guys going all over the place (to race)," Brubaker said. "They go to Indiana, Michigan, Canada. We are always looking for more racing opportunities."

Plus, Brubaker said, 400 horses already are stabled at the fairgrounds year-round. They would be readily available for expanded racing opportunities.

Wagering on harness racing first came to the Illinois State Fair in 1987. The Department of Agriculture contracts with Chicago's Maywood and Balmoral harness racing parks to stage the racing and handle wagering.

The state pays up to $160,000 a year for the service. In 2007, the state's share of wagering come to $112,800, Department of Agriculture spokesman Jeff Squibb said.

"We do not make money on horse racing," Squibb said. "Money generated from the races goes directly into breeders awards. It's considered an investment in the horse racing industry in Illinois."

Poe has talked with department officials about his idea, Squibb said, adding, "The agency does not have a position on it."

At the same time, a number of obstacles would have to be overcome. Costly lights would have to be installed if organizers wanted night racing. Also, the fairgrounds is used for many programs besides the state fair, which could create scheduling conflicts for an expanded racing program.

Poe said he is going to keep working on the idea.

"The way the (gambling expansion bill) is moving, I think I have time to catch on," he said. "I'm hoping if there is a big program, we can get in there."

Doug Finke can be reached at (217) 788-1527 or doug.finke@sj-r.com.

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