Hawthorne Racetrack, located in Chicago’s southern suburbs, is currently facing significant financial difficulties as it attempts to fund a $400 million racetrack development. The track has fallen behind on payments owed to jockeys in both harness and thoroughbred racing.
During a recent Illinois Horse Racing Board (IRB) meeting, members learned of dishonored checks totaling six figures that affected both the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association (IHHA) and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (ITHA). However, detailed information from Hawthorne’s management and potential relief options from the board were sparse. Additional reports indicate that Hawthorne owes over $1 million in unpaid purse money, following the cancellation of four weeks of harness racing. Last year, liens totaling $6.7 million were filed against the track for unpaid construction work linked to the planned racino.
On Monday, the IRB suspended Hawthorne’s harness racing license due to the track’s failure to provide adequate documentation of its financial stability, as required under Illinois racing laws. Hawthorne’s CEO, Tim Carey, a fourth-generation family owner whose family has owned the track since 1909, was scheduled to attend a board meeting to address these concerns but did not appear. This absence drew criticism from IHHA and ITHA officials, with IHHA president Jeff Davis deeming Carey’s no-show “disrespectful” to both jockeys and the board.
ITHA’s Executive Director David McCaffrey reflected on the potential closure of other historic venues, including Washington Park, Arlington, and Maywood, highlighting the precarious state of Chicago-area horse racing. Carey’s representatives, assistant general manager John Walsh and director of racing operations Tim Miller, were present but unable to provide comprehensive financial updates. Walsh did confirm one dishonored check but assured that payroll checks remained intact, noting that Carey was working to resolve these issues. Walsh expressed the Carey family’s disappointment with the situation.
Walsh disputed claims about a legal judgment involving Churchill Downs that was valued at $1.64 million, stating there was no settlement, no payments made, and that the actual amount was lower. He also hinted at ongoing talks with a potential new partner, emphasizing cautious optimism about future developments but declined to reveal the partner’s identity. Despite four years of setbacks, Walsh conveyed unprecedented hope that this new collaboration could lead to positive changes for Hawthorne.
Carey has maintained a hopeful stance about the racino project since receiving a “tentatively suitable” casino gaming license designation from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) in July 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initial work, including demolishing parts of the track and clearing the grandstand for the casino floor, began shortly after. However, progress has been inconsistent, with vague updates provided as Carey seeks funding to finish the project.
Hawthorne’s track continues to hold a “temporarily adequate” rating from the Illinois Gaming Commission despite ongoing delays. It also possesses a retail sports betting license from the IGB authorizing in-person wagering at the racetrack and other local locations. Its thoroughbred racing license remains active, allowing continued sports betting. However, its mobile sports betting partner, Fanatics, recently signed a deal to relocate its land-based sports betting operations to Argosy Casino in Olton, a move designed to prevent service interruptions should Hawthorne’s thoroughbred license be suspended or revoked.
Fan Take:
This news is deeply concerning for horse racing fans, as the financial instability of a historic track like Hawthorne threatens not only the livelihoods of jockeys and staff but also the future of racing in the Chicago region. The potential closure or scaling back of such an iconic venue could signal broader challenges looming for the sport, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable investment and management reforms.
