Horses Or Bears? Tension Brews Between Churchill Downs-Arlington Heights Amid Sale

Mayor Tom Hayes and other important Arlington Heights leaders support the continuation of horses race at Arlington International Racecourse.

A few months ago, Churchill Downs Inc., the owner of the track, decided to sell it. However, the village manager, the mayor, eight trustees, and the community development department members are now working towards ensuring that horse racing remains a possibility even post-sale.

City establishes a stringent contract

Earlier this week, an ordinance preventing Churchill Downs from placing a restrictive covenant related to horse racing and gambling on the land was unanimously approved by the village board.

This signifies Arlington Heights’ interest in hosting horse racing and/or casino gambling on the 326-acre property for several years.

Eventually, the sale will be controlled by Churchill Downs, however, it appears that Arlington Heights is trying to sway it.

City officials also initiated the process to implement zoning changes that would prohibit 23 distinct uses of the property. These include ‘kiddie-andro’ parks, funeral homes, adult businesses, carwashes, wholesale offices, and currency exchanges.

Hayes stated, as reported by the Daily Herald:

“As a diligent village with 326 acres of premium land for sale within our boundaries, it is our obligation to take every necessary measure to guarantee that the redevelopment of this property meets the highest standards. We are seeking to attract serious investors who aim to transform this extraordinary real estate into something that fits well with our community and the surrounding area.”

The concern is that Churchill Downs may not endorse Arlington’s race or other gambling activities because they’re the primary patrons of Rivers Casino and do not want any competition.

If Arlington’s horse racing was shut down, only Hawthorne Race Course, FanDuel Sportsbook, and Horse Racing would remain in Illinois.

One potential client is interested in horse racing.

Roy Arnold, who served as the president and CEO of Arlington Park from 2006 to 2010, might attempt to purchase the record on behalf of a consortium of investors.

Paulick Report states that he sent a letter to the village’s board of trustees, announcing his intentions. Arnold is backed by Mike Campbell, who is the president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association.

Nonetheless, even though Arlington Heights may implement measures to restrict certain buyers, the final decision on any purchase will still lie with Churchill Downs.

We will soon find out exactly how much Churchill Downs appreciates the competition from Rivers. The two services are only about 20 minutes apart.

According to a reliable source, John Scaletta,

Many individuals are keen on the continuation of horse racing, not only in Illinois but throughout our country. It’s crucial to keep opportunities available for it to potentially maintain a track. Eventually, someone will visit Arlington Heights intending to perpetuate horse racing.

“But even if not, we have at least established what we are not seeking. Hopefully, they will provide a development that will benefit the village of Arlington Heights, as it is an incredibly important piece of property.”

The Arlington Park Bears, what about them?

If you’ve been keeping up with this narrative, you’re aware of the months-long buzz surrounding the Bears-Arlington matter.

Hayes recently revealed in a Fox 32 Chicago interview that the Bears are seriously contemplating a move to Arlington Heights. This comes as their lease for Soldier Field is set to expire in 2033.

“The Arlington Park site is unquestionably accessible, and we think it would be an excellent location for the Chicago Bears. Considering its significance, I believe the Bears are seriously contemplating it. It’s located in the northern cities, which forms a significant part of their market, thereby offering many advantages.”

Chicago Mayor Lightfoot responded by saying:

The Bears are contracted to lease Soldier Field until 2033, and the NFL prohibits teams from breaching their leases. “I’ve seen reports suggesting possible relocations, but I believe it’s important to consider these two pieces of information.”

Hayes mentioned that with enough determination, getting out of a lease is possible. Lightfoot’s remarks also elicited a few eye rolls from members of the Chicago media, including Adam Hoge.

It will be exciting to watch how all of this develops.