The 2020 partnership with FanDuel has streamlined the sports betting operations at Fairmount Park.

Attendance at race meetings declined, leading to a reduction in the annual schedule to just 90 days, with harness racing eventually ceasing entirely.Īdditionally, a proposal to introduce slot machines on-site was rejected by state lawmakers, which ultimately halted a 2007 endeavor to construct a 20,000-seat arena at the venue.įortunately, there is a renewed sense of optimism today. However, the emergence of legal casinos in Illinois had an impact on the horse racing industry in America. At its zenith, the track hosted races on over 230 days throughout the year, captivating racing enthusiasts. In 1947, Fairmount Park pioneered nighttime racing by installing lights, becoming the first track in the state to offer evening events. Inspired by the iconic Churchill Downs, the legendary host of the world-renowned Kentucky Derby, this one-mile dirt oval track has always been at the forefront of innovation. Since its inauguration in 1925, Fairmount Park has stood proudly just across the river from St.