Even though it`s physically impossible for Balmoral Park to conduct a summer thoroughbred meeting this year, the Will County track still is trying to win in court.
The Illinois Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to hear Balmoral`s appeal of an appellate court ruling last spring that upheld the Illinois Racing Board`s denial of summer dates.
This appeal came after Will County Circuit Judge William Penn ruled in Balmoral`s favor earlier this year.
Summer thoroughbred dates for Balmoral were denied when the IRB drafted the 1991 schedule after hearings in September 1990. The board decided that a competing meeting would have an adverse effect on the state`s premier thoroughbred meeting at Arlington International Racecourse and concluded that state revenue also would fall.
No date has been set for the Supreme Court hearing.
– If the board gives its blessing at next Tuesday`s meeting, Maywood Park and Balmoral will integrate their Friday and Saturday night harness racing programs through simulcast wagering this fall.
Maywood`s races would be simulcast to Balmoral and vice versa-a first for Illinois racing. Controlling interest in both tracks is held by the families of Billy Johnston and George Steinbrenner. ”Provided the board gives the OK, basically it`s going to be just like Las Vegas, with races every 12 minutes,” said Maywood President Duke Johnston, Billy`s son. ”We think it`ll go over great, especially in the off-track betting parlors.”
– Also on the racing board`s agenda are requests for off-track betting parlors in three new markets-Champaign, Bloomington and Quincy.
