By Matt Stefanski • •
It appears the last horse racing track in the Chicago area is closing for good.
Hawthorne Race Course issued a statement on Friday after a bankruptcy sale was approved, describing the decision as a “tremendous loss.”
“Hawthorne is the oldest sporting venue in Illinois for the oldest sport in America,” the statement read, in part. “The Court-approved sale of our property is a tremendous loss for all Illinois sports fans and especially for everyone who has dedicated their lives to working within this proud and historic industry. However, this does not yet mark the end of Hawthorne as a business…”
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association said it does not expect any more racing at the course — after the Illinois Racing Board canceled Sunday’s races.
A judge approved a bankruptcy sale after Delaware company Allimac LLC offered $90 million to purchase the land for development. The decades-old track filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, reporting more than $100 million in debt.
An attorney for Hawthorne told Judge Timothy Barnes the track hoped to find a buyer who would keep the racetrack open, but they only received one “qualified bid” out of 70 offers.
The judge has ordered the roughly 500 workers and their families who live on the property to move out by Aug. 31.
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Hawthorne said the sale doesn’t mark its end as a business. The company plans to continue hosting intertrack wagering at its betting bars and will explore “every available option” to once again host racing.
“We are committed to this effort because we share the relentless dedication of our employees, horsemen and fans, for whom we are forever grateful,” it added.
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