Arlington Park for Sale

Churchill gets away with acting like total gangsters. Paying off the state too, blatant bribery going on. But it's Illinois, what else would you expect to happen in such a shithole.
 

Rockfish

EOG Addicted
Churchill gets away with acting like total gangsters. Paying off the state too, blatant bribery going on. But it's Illinois, what else would you expect to happen in such a shithole.

i live in illinois. i disagree with you about it being a shithole. it is a shithole times 10 with sky high taxes and a city, county, and state deep in debt.
 

Rockfish

EOG Addicted
No one saw this coming and anyone who tells you they did is a liar. What i mean is if 15 or 20 years ago if someone told you the Carey family will still own Hawthorne in 2022 and be the only Chicago area track still racing outlasting Sportsman Park, Balmoral, Maywood Park, And Arlington Park. Can't happen. No chance.

Hawthorne always got the worst of the racing dates and always got shit on by those in power. Duchossois at Arlington, Bidwell and Johnson family with Sportsman, Maywood and Balmoral all had more political pull and bribery power than Hawthorne.

Carey family has to be absolutely loving this after all these years being treated like a red headed step child. All the above mentioned, spent untold millions first trying to stop casino gambling. Then when the casinos got in, then spending millions more over the next 20 years attempting to get slots at the tracks. Here we are with Hawthorne going to be the only surviving track and with a full blown casino.

That is why i always remind myself to never say never.
 

John Kelly

Born Gambler
Staff member
Excellent history lesson, ROCKFISH.

Hawthorne is proof of the biblical verse, "The last shall be first and the first last."

One note to Hawthorne's marketing department: Dump the phrase "historic" Hawthorne.

No one will be heading to the casino/racetrack in Stickney thinking about Hawthorne's 100-year-old family business.
 
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And watch what happens whenever Chicago gets a casino, it will crush Rivers numbers. Rivers working behind the scenes (bribery) to try to keep Chicago from getting a viable casino but eventually its going to happen. And that's the point where Churchill will think to themselves maybe, just maybe we should have had another casino a little further out from the city with only ancient Elgin around to compete with us to protect our revenue streams. If they don't get the Waukegan casino, and then half of their customer base heads to a Chicago casino or a Hawthorne casino, they are going to see cratered gaming numbers. This latest investment and expansion will look stupid.

I have been around this industry a long time and seen a lot. Nothing comes close to the outright corruption and "pay to play" bullshit you see in Illinois or Pennsyvlania. Those two states are in a class by themselves. Stuff that would get you throw into jail for years in other states is seen as just part of the political game in these two states. I know everyone thinks the government in their state is corrupt too, but trust me you have never seen such blatant dirty shit going on until you have spent some time seeing and hearing what goes on in these two.
 

John Kelly

Born Gambler
Staff member
And watch what happens whenever Chicago gets a casino, it will crush Rivers numbers. Rivers working behind the scenes (bribery) to try to keep Chicago from getting a viable casino but eventually its going to happen. And that's the point where Churchill will think to themselves maybe, just maybe we should have had another casino a little further out from the city with only ancient Elgin around to compete with us to protect our revenue streams. If they don't get the Waukegan casino, and then half of their customer base heads to a Chicago casino or a Hawthorne casino, they are going to see cratered gaming numbers. This latest investment and expansion will look stupid.

I have been around this industry a long time and seen a lot. Nothing comes close to the outright corruption and "pay to play" bullshit you see in Illinois or Pennsyvlania. Those two states are in a class by themselves. Stuff that would get you throw into jail for years in other states is seen as just part of the political game in these two states. I know everyone thinks the government in their state is corrupt too, but trust me you have never seen such blatant dirty shit going on until you have spent some time seeing and hearing what goes on in these two.


Louisiana feels left out.
 

Valuist

EOG Master
And watch what happens whenever Chicago gets a casino, it will crush Rivers numbers. Rivers working behind the scenes (bribery) to try to keep Chicago from getting a viable casino but eventually its going to happen. And that's the point where Churchill will think to themselves maybe, just maybe we should have had another casino a little further out from the city with only ancient Elgin around to compete with us to protect our revenue streams. If they don't get the Waukegan casino, and then half of their customer base heads to a Chicago casino or a Hawthorne casino, they are going to see cratered gaming numbers. This latest investment and expansion will look stupid.

I have been around this industry a long time and seen a lot. Nothing comes close to the outright corruption and "pay to play" bullshit you see in Illinois or Pennsyvlania. Those two states are in a class by themselves. Stuff that would get you throw into jail for years in other states is seen as just part of the political game in these two states. I know everyone thinks the government in their state is corrupt too, but trust me you have never seen such blatant dirty shit going on until you have spent some time seeing and hearing what goes on in these two.

I'm not so sure of that. Rivers gets a lot of traffic from O'Hare layovers. That isn't going away. The city of Chicago is a shithole.
 
I'm not so sure of that. Rivers gets a lot of traffic from O'Hare layovers. That isn't going away. The city of Chicago is a shithole.

Very very little from O'Hare layovers. Their business is Chicago and the north suburbs. Its an amazing business, talking about 3 million residents, most of them from the higher income parts of the area. The lower income areas of Chicago they are already losing to Indiana. This is why they shut down Arlington and are trying to buy their way into the Waukegan license and make Chicago not a viable location, all to keep out competition.
 
Good to see someone finally stating what I have been saying for years. I was close to a lot of the transactions and heard what some of the CHDN people were saying. It was blatant this was coming for a decade. HHR machines in Kentucky are the next nail in the coffin, its misdirecting the focus of racing people. They will continue to add to pursues which seems good, but that will allow CHDN to avoid having to invest in the business. That money that would have gone to racing is going to building out their sports betting capabilities and into further advances into casino operations. The Derby may remain iconic, but watch how the Churchill Downs facility becomes like a race car track, running big events for about 3 weeks a year and then dormant otherwise. Why bother sustaining such a massive facility when all you need is 1,000 HHR machines and you make more money than the racetrack running a full calendar ever could?
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
Churchill gets away with acting like total gangsters. Paying off the state too, blatant bribery going on. But it's Illinois, what else would you expect to happen in such a shithole.

Kentucky 10X the the shithole of Illinois. Perfect timing, LPD under investigation by the DOJ. Their Mayor says it's welcome and needed.
 

FairWarning

Bells Beer Connoisseur
Kentucky 10X the the shithole of Illinois. Perfect timing, LPD under investigation by the DOJ. Their Mayor says it's welcome and needed.
What does the LPD have to do with Illinois gaming corruption? Team Blue should erect a statue of you.
 

Valuist

EOG Master
Kentucky 10X the the shithole of Illinois. Perfect timing, LPD under investigation by the DOJ. Their Mayor says it's welcome and needed.

I lived many years in Illinois. I would take Kentucky any day as a residence over the shithole that is Illinois.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
I lived many years in Illinois. I would take Kentucky any day as a residence over the shithole that is Illinois.

Same here. I would take Illinois any day as a residence over the shithole that is hillbilly Kentucky. Let's go to hillbilly days!
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
I'll take less crime, better weather, and less taxes, thank you.

You're a follower. Which is common for Illinois and National Republicons.

Kentucky actually has higher income taxes than Illinois. A very large majority of crime in Illinois takes place in a very small area. I wouldn't worry. But I'm not a Republicon Snowflake that conflates every minor damn thing.

Illinois has so many better things than Kentucky. Hillbillies also committ crimes.

In Bidens first 100 days, your shithole Republicons complained about Mr. Potatohead, Dr. Seuss, The Muppets, mask mandates, how many mask, limits of hamburger consumption, and plant based beer. I wish every Snowflake would move out of Illinois because it's a shithole. Go somewhere else to conflate about taxes and Dr. Seuss. It's a sad pattern that makes up the Illinois Republicon.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
I'll take less crime, better weather, and less taxes, thank you.


I deal with a lot of people on the job and socially. There's no doubt about it. In Illinois its always the Republicons that are complaining about the most minor things. It's a pattern and I know they're basically parroting the talking points they hear from their social circles and friendly fire. But when the government was giving out free money it was always the Republicons first and last in line with theirs hands out.
 
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Valuist

EOG Master
I forgot to add lower cost of living and cheaper real estate. And much less traffic. How many other states have you lived in?

And look here; the states with the greatest exodus. New York and Illinois. What a shocker! Not.

1619625422416.png
 
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Rockfish

EOG Addicted
You're a follower. Which is common for Illinois and National Republicons.

Kentucky actually has higher income taxes than Illinois. A very large majority of crime in Illinois takes place in a very small area. I wouldn't worry. But I'm not a Republicon Snowflake that conflates every minor damn thing.

Illinois has so many better things than Kentucky. Hillbillies also committ crimes.

In Bidens first 100 days, your shithole Republicons complained about Mr. Potatohead, Dr. Seuss, The Muppets, mask mandates, how many mask, limits of hamburger consumption, and plant based beer. I wish every Snowflake would move out of Illinois because it's a shithole. Go somewhere else to conflate about taxes and Dr. Seuss. It's a sad pattern that makes up the Illinois Republicon.

You conveniently forgot to mention that the sales tax is higher in Illinois and the property taxes are much higher like 300% more in Illinois. Then look up the states debt compared to Kentucky. Please stop acting like Illinois doesn't tax it residents to death. The corruption and the bloated units of government in the State of Illinois is an embarrassment unless of course you work for the state then it is great.
 

Valuist

EOG Master
You conveniently forgot to mention that the sales tax is higher in Illinois and the property taxes are much higher like 300% more in Illinois. Then look up the states debt compared to Kentucky. Please stop acting like Illinois doesn't tax it residents to death. The corruption and the bloated units of government in the State of Illinois is an embarrassment unless of course you work for the state then it is great.

The proof is in the pudding in the numbers I posted above your post. People are leaving in droves. But I guess to him, everyone else is wrong. It's never him. .
 

Heim

EOG Master
Besides the KDerby, the Arlington Million was the race. Due to the purse, you had a opportunity
to see the best turfers in the world.
 

Valuist

EOG Master
Besides the KDerby, the Arlington Million was the race. Due to the purse, you had a opportunity
to see the best turfers in the world.

The track itself is great. Fantastic facility. The product has gone down considerably since the installation of Polytrack in 2007, and the inability to get slots to help purses keep pace with the industry. The third biggest metro area in the US and purses basically no bigger than when I started following Chicago area racing around 1983-84.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
You conveniently forgot to mention that the sales tax is higher in Illinois and the property taxes are much higher like 300% more in Illinois. Then look up the states debt compared to Kentucky. Please stop acting like Illinois doesn't tax it residents to death. The corruption and the bloated units of government in the State of Illinois is an embarrassment unless of course you work for the state then it is great.

Oh wow! The RepubliCon won one. LOL You'll will fit right in with the low IQ's of them hillbillies. The Republicons have convinced me Kentucky better than Illinois. In other disturbing anti American news, staunch RepubliCon, staunch Benedict Donald ally, Russian Asset, Rudy G. apartment's has just been raided by the FBI. Let's go get these treasonous RepubliCons!
 

FairWarning

Bells Beer Connoisseur
You conveniently forgot to mention that the sales tax is higher in Illinois and the property taxes are much higher like 300% more in Illinois. Then look up the states debt compared to Kentucky. Please stop acting like Illinois doesn't tax it residents to death. The corruption and the bloated units of government in the State of Illinois is an embarrassment unless of course you work for the state then it is great.
Government pensions and legal fees for their governors are costly.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
The only real difference between Kentucky and Illinois south of 80 is nicer horses in Kentucky.

And the houses built on the side of the hills. And the annual Hillbilly Days in Pikeville. And kissing cousins. But politically the ignorant and racist Republicons are the majority.
 

Valuist

EOG Master
The only real difference between Kentucky and Illinois south of 80 is nicer HOUSES in Kentucky.

FTFY.

And let's not limit it to Kentucky. Tennessee crushes it as well, although its become so popular the real estate prices are starting to get out of hand in some spots.
 

Wade

EOG Master
I forgot to add lower cost of living and cheaper real estate. And much less traffic. How many other states have you lived in?

And look here; the states with the greatest exodus. New York and Illinois. What a shocker! Not.

View attachment 7463980

i'm surprised Nebraska and Indiana are on that list. Warren Buffet is in Nebraska. the rest I consider shithole states.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
FTFY.

And let's not limit it to Kentucky. Tennessee crushes it as well, although its become so popular the real estate prices are starting to get out of hand in some spots.

And let's not overlook which states have the highest percentage of stop the steal, insurgents, Fox News & OANN viewers and Trump and Rudy Giuliani tards. A no brainer if we micromanage. I may have already touched on the low IQ in Kentucky.

Kentucky better than Illinois. Lol
 

Valuist

EOG Master
And let's not overlook which states have the highest percentage of stop the steal, insurgents, Fox News & OANN viewers and Trump and Rudy Giuliani tards. A no brainer if we micromanage. I may have already touched on the low IQ in Kentucky.

Kentucky better than Illinois. Lol

If Illinois was so great, why are so many people in a hurry to get the hell out? Same with that shithole New York.

After 5 decades there, I got out. Should've left sooner.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
If Illinois was so great, why are so many people in a hurry to get the hell out? Same with that shithole New York.

After 5 decades there, I got out. Should've left sooner.

Yes but you're, you were a Trump Humper and a Rudy G fan. "Stop the steal". It's a joy knowing ignorant, racist Trump Humpers are moving out of Illinois. You would never deserve or get any respect here. "No collusion", "MAGA".
 
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Valuist

EOG Master
Yes but you're, you were a Trump Humper and a Rudy G fan. "Stop the steal". It's a joy knowing ignorant, racist Trump Humpers are moving out of Illinois. You would never deserve or get any respect here. "No collusion", "MAGA".

OK, surrender noted.
 

Bigrunner

EOG Master
OK, surrender noted.

No Surrender. We can't or else the Republicons will continue to illegally gerrymander the hell out of the nation. Republicons are excellent at scaling tall walls and beating police officers.

"Stop the steal". "No Colllusion"
 

lap18

EOG Dedicated
I lived many years in Illinois. I would take Kentucky any day as a residence over the shithole that is Illinois.

I'm back in ILLINOIS.... I FKN HATE THIS STATE. My property tax went up 9.4% this year...for no reason. I was paying 895/year on my $250k house in Alabama to now well over 7k on a 260k house in this shift state. The state lost a seat in Congress and our fatass governor says the kids are leaving illinois for out of state college. People leaving illinois due to higher taxes.
 
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