Since being elected in September as President of the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association, I have promised to be more transparent in our actions to help and represent our members and all involved in harness racing in Illinois. With that goal in mind, I am releasing the text of an email I sent to the Illinois Racing Board earlier today in regards to our recent racing issues at Hawthorne Race Course:

Dear Chairman Dan Beiser and the Illinois Racing Board Members and staff,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association (IHHA) to address some recent challenges we've encountered at Hawthorne Race Course, which have significantly impacted our racing schedule.

On November 26th, we faced a noteworthy setback with the absence of a working track conditioner (piece of equipment used to keep the racetrack surface safe and even) and issues with both starting gate vehicles at Hawthorne. This resulted in the cancellation of the day's races after a considerable delay. This incident not only disrupted our schedule but also raised concerns about the readiness of essential equipment for racing. These are safety issues that we take very seriously.

Following this, a meeting with Hawthorne representatives on November 27th, originally scheduled for routine discussions, gained added importance. I am pleased to report that for the race card held on that day, the track was well-maintained, and we had one operational starting gate vehicle.

However, on the evening of December 4th (last night), we encountered another major issue with both starting gate vehicles being non-functional. Our drivers and trainers, knowing our limited racing opportunities in 2023 and 2024, agreed to a "gentlemen's start." While this solution worked temporarily, it is not a sustainable or appropriate method for professional racing.

Today, I was informed by John Walsh of Hawthorne Race Course that they have acquired two new conditioners, which is a positive development towards resolving some of our concerns.

As the regulatory body overseeing horse racing in Illinois, we seek your assistance in ensuring that these issues are addressed promptly and effectively. The IHHA values the integrity of the sport and the fair opportunity for all participants to compete under optimal conditions. We believe that with your support, these challenges can be rectified, allowing us to resume our regular racing schedule starting next Sunday and Monday.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a swift resolution. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to maintaining the high standards of horse racing in Illinois.

Jeff Davis

President, Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association