Chicago Sun-Times: Horse racing in Illinois ‘on verge of extinction’

[marmar]

Horse racing in Illinois ‘on verge of extinction’
BY NATASHA KORECKI AND DAVE MCKINNEY Staff Reporters Feb 26, 2011 10:49PM


Steam rising off their hulking bodies, a half-dozen standardbred horses power into position.

In front of two-wheeled sulkies on this arctic winter night in February, their hooves dig into frozen ground that’s covered with a thin layer of snow.

.....(snip).....

But across the infield, in the indoor viewing area, the seats are virtually empty. Few people are buying concessions. There are no lines to buy betting slips.

There’s just a handful of people on hand, and most are aging, just like the sport that’s struggling to draw younger and more diverse crowds. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.suntimes.com/news/3990573-417/horse-racing-in-illinois-on-verge-of-extinction.html

[opihimoimoi]

1. wHO GOT MONEY TO WASTE? food mo import now

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2. Not enough action

Now people who need to gamble play slots.

Arlington Park brought a lot of money to the suburbs at one time, but brought the Mob along with it.

I'm ok if horse racing and the abuse of animals that goes along with it slides into oblivion.

[marmar]

3. "if horse racing and the abuse of animals"

That's how I feel about it. I've never liked the idea of a horse being forced to run top speed around a track carrying a human.

[wtmusic]

5. They drug them up and run them until their lungs bleed

It's really gotten out of control.

http://drugsafetysite.com/medicine/lasix-for-horses/

[tinkerbell41]

4. I live by both tracks

Arlington is breathtaking. A beautiful place. There was a ton of money to be made there when it was being built. My dad worked on it for a long time.
I am an animal activist, so I am torn. It is a family friendly enjoyable place to go, but I'm not a gambler, and I don't agree with the treatment of the horses.

[wtmusic]

6. When I was a kid in Prospect Heights

my next door neighbor was a bookie. One day they found him stuffed in the trunk of his own Cadillac with his throat slit - in the parking lot of Arlington Park.

I went there a bunch of times in the 80s and it was fun. If I was into gambling, I'd rather sit in the sun than in a smoky casino.

[tinkerbell41]

7. Oh my.

Not good.