Churchill Downs CEO casts doubt on Chicago track's future, says Churchill could race less
By Gregory A. Hall
Churchill Downs Inc.'s chief executive on Thursday raised doubts about the future of its Chicago-area track and said the company's flagship Louisville track may have to further reduce racing dates.
"You can't run on hope," CEO Bob Evans said in an interview after the company's annual shareholders' meeting in Louisville. "... If we get to the point where you know 'not racing' is the best answer, well that's the best answer. But we're not starting there, and I hope we don't get there."
During prepared remarks at the meeting and in the interview after, Evans talked of plans for an impending internal review of its four racetracks and said it is difficult to justify racing at tracks that don't have slot machines or other forms of gambling to supplement purses. Asked if Arlington Park and Churchill are in jeopardy, Evans said any racetrack without alternative gambling would find it difficult to keep going without some business to make up the difference.