Today’s quotable
Wednesday, Sep 8, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Incendiary rhetoric much? Sheesh…
With less than three weeks to go before the possible last race in the history of Arlington Park, the leadership of the group representing horse owners and trainers expressed renewed optimism for the chances of at least one of two groups that want to buy the track and preserve racing.
Mike Campbell, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, helped assemble the consortium led by former Arlington Park President Roy Arnold’s Endeavor Properties, which Campbell believes may have the highest bid — out of “dozens” — submitted this summer to track owner Churchill Downs Inc. […]
He also ramped up the rhetoric against the Louisville, Kentucky-based owner of Arlington Park — a frequent target of his criticism for refusing to apply for slots and table games guaranteed by a 2019 state gambling expansion law that would boost Arlington’s purses.
“I would rather have the Taliban on my side than I would Churchill Downs at this point,” Campbell said. “It is outrageous what they’ve done to our membership. We were counting on a $50 million a year purse account just here at Arlington Park, and now we’re faced with closing Arlington Park.”
Yeah, maybe tone it down a bit.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 4:42 am:
When gambling interests argue…
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 7:32 am:
Can we include the Taliban in Godwin’s Law?
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 8:08 am:
Hey, if you’re not going to make some half-witted comparison to WWII, don’t bother.
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 8:33 am:
Taliban must be the new Hitler/Nazi comparison.
Drama much?
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 8:47 am:
He just made me happy Arlington’s closing.
- SouthSide Markie - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 8:58 am:
== Yeah, maybe tone it down a bit. ==
You obviously haven’t met Mike Campbell.
That probably was his toned down version.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 9:16 am:
If Campbell is looking for a new gig he might want to throw his hat into the next election to lead the FOP.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 9:23 am:
Mike just hasn’t been the same since Tom Petty died….
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 9:24 am:
==He just made me happy Arlington’s closing.==
And that it will be the new site of the annual Packers triumph over the Fighting McCaskeys.
- DEE - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 9:30 am:
His win percentage as a trainer is only slightly better than his win percentage against Churchill and the State.
- Product of the '60's - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 9:53 am:
If it goes I will miss Arlington Park. It’s a wonderful place, hundred times better than downstate Fairmount Park. I like to go once or twice a year and find it an enjoyable afternoon…. usually loosing (not adding onto)
the small amount I take!! I had the idea from earlier this Spring that Churchill Downs wasn’t even going to consider any offers from anyone who wanted to continue racing there.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 10:27 am:
===I would rather have the Taliban on my side than I would Churchill Downs at this point===
This seems like something that belongs in the book “How to Concern Friends and Lose Supporters.”
- Tony - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 12:05 pm:
Maybe Mike should get a lifetime ban from Arlington.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 4:06 pm:
=== We were counting on a $50 million a year purse account just here at Arlington Park ===
Of all of the mistakes you can make in devising a regulatory scheme, probably the worst is thinking you can outsmart corporate lawyers.
Its not that corporate lawyers are smarter, but because they do not have to be. They know their clients own objectives, business model and bottom line better than you possibly can, They can be 50% as smart because th3y have 400% more information.
If you “think” you know what they are gonna do, get it in writing in an MOA.
- northsider (the original) - Wednesday, Sep 8, 21 @ 5:00 pm:
The rhetoric is overheated, but please consider that a lot of families live on the backstretch, including hundreds of kids, are going to be displaced when the track shuts down. I’m sure that is adding to the anxiety and anger.
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