COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – A hundred years ago, Calvin Coolidge was in the White House. The First Factory-assembled Ford model T truck was also introduced.
A four-cylinder, 20-horsepower truck and Fairmount Park were open for business for horse racing for the first time.
On Tuesday, horsepower of a different sort was on display. The new season of horse racing began and it was a packed crowd out to see the ponies.
“You know it’s fun because it’s opening day. If you go to any track in the world, opening day is special. Here in Collinsville, they have a population of 24,000, and they’ve got four or 5,000 people, which is phenomenal,” said Peter Lurie, In Track host.
Now named Fairmount Park and Casino, there are upgrades noticed from the moment visitors pull onto the lot.
“First of all, as soon as you pull in the brand-new parking lot, a lot of renovations on the first floor of the grandstand. Still some new offerings on the way,” said Vince Gabbert, the general manager of Fairmount Park and Casino. “But the gaming floor is the biggest change for folks to be able to come and gamble in the casino as well as bet on the horses.”
With a few hiccups to deal with on this horse hockey Tuesday, many in attendance were appreciative of the upgrades and introduction of casino gaming indoors.
“I’m out here with all my friends enjoying the last semester of college before we graduate,” Grace Clement, a horse racing fan, said. “Beautiful weather out and just enjoying the day.”
The casino is open daily from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. Live horse racing is on Tuesdays and Saturdays.