The Illinois' Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's lawsuit versus Arlington International Racecourse (Churchill Downs, Inc.) regarding a purse account dispute of $775,000 has been escalated to federal court, according to the Thoroughbred Daily News.
The lawsuit alleges that Arlington breached its contract with the horsemen by refusing to hand over the amount remaining in the purse account, $775,000, when it became known that no racing would occur at Arlington Park in 2022. The suit seeks a declaration of that breach, plus the purse amount and damages.
However, Arlington/CDI argues that the contract has not been breached since the entity is “actively pursing” another location for racing in Illinois.
ITHA's complaint addresses that concern as follows: “While Arlington, LLC's, letter claims that it is 'actively pursuing additional horse racing opportunities in the State of Illinois,' Arlington, LLC, has never identified any such opportunities, even when pressed to do so by the Illinois Racing Board.”
Quinn's letter to the ITHA also includes a “reminder” for the ITHA to pay $150,000 to the purse account, “as required under the agreement.”
The ITHA complaint's rebuttal to this suggestion reads: “If ITHA were to send Arlington, LLC, a check for $150,000 today, the result would be that the already-substantial underpayment of approximately $775,000 (money to which ITHA is legally entitled) would grow by $150,000 to approximately $925,000.”
Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.
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