COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A St. Louis area horse track has significantly curtailed its racing season as the industry’s woes persist in Illinois.

Races at Fairmount Park in Collinsville began last week, two months later than the traditional start. The 42-day season is the shortest in the 91-year-old track’s history.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the Illinois Racing Board shortened Fairmount Park’s season so that more horses would be available to race at Chicago-area tracks.

The later start was intended to then make more horses available at Fairmount once the Chicago tracks close.

Industry boosters are still advocating for a change in state law to allow for slot machines at horse tracks. But such changes are unlikely as Illinois lawmakers have yet to adopt a budget for a fiscal year that’s nearly over.

 

 
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