QCD OTB

[pacewiththebest]

Does anyone know if Quad City Downs is still open as an OTB?  I heard a rumor that it was, and couldn't figure out how it could be true.  I thought you had to have live racing to have an OTB. 

[Thomas Graham]

QCD was grandfathered in.  Something in the law says a track in a county bordering the mississippi that conducted live racing in 1987 or something like that can operate OTBs and as an Intertrack location (technically it's an Intertrack location, not an OTB - 1.5% surcharge instead of 2.5%)

[edwardwilliam]

QCD was grandfathered in.  Something in the law says a track in a county bordering the mississippi that conducted live racing in 1987 or something like that can operate OTBs and as an Intertrack location (technically it's an Intertrack location, not an OTB - 1.5% surcharge instead of 2.5%)

Yes -- the law is crafted with an interesting deftness.  It's actually a pretty nice facility -- you can even head outside and see the remnants of the old track and toteboard.

Best,
EW

[pacewiththebest]

Thanks guys!

It's too bad someone can't get racing back there.  I hear lots of stories of how people used to love racing there. 

[robert greco]

if QCD Is still up some owners or we can sell shaires and open up QCD or build a race track of our OWN !!

ITS NOT A LOT OF MONIEY IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE TRACK OWNERS CAN RUN THE OTB AND SPLIT UP IN FOR 1/2 ...

HOW IN THE HELL IS ONLY 5 MILLION DOLLARS SO HARD TO PUT TOGETHER ...

WHAT DO MY FELLOW HORSE MEN THINK ?

[Michigan Dale]

You're jogging my memory!   Quad City Downs, formerly East Moline Downs used to be my hangout when I was living in the Quad Cities.   As a 'live' facility it closed about two years after I moved there.   The OTB facility is pretty nice and has made improvements.   It would be great to see live racing at this 'B' track again but keep in mind its owned by the Churchill Downs bunch (i.e., King Richard D from Arlington Park) and they aren't exactly harness racing oriented.   I get over there about twice a year now and its fun.   Only thing is, as recently as this past July, they've still got that big picture piece of artwork in the entryway of Nevele Pride and Stanley Dancer with the date of 1962 on it!   Now for many that might be no big deal but to a harness racing purist and somewhat historian like me, its a HUGE deal.....the great Nevele Pride wasn't even born in 1962.   I wish they'd correct that.

[pacewiththebest]

If and when this whole boycott of the Chicago entry box is done, the IHHA and that new organization should focus efforts on opening QCD back up.   They get so wrapped up in the Johnstons when they should be scouting out other opportunities.  I can't do much, but I could drag the track to save money!