Editor’s Note: The views contained in the story below are those of the author alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of the United States Trotting Association.

Hinsdale, IL — It’s said insanity.is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If so, what word describes facing the same possible problem year after year and doing nothing to solve it?

Apathy? Foolishness? Asinine?

One or all could fit if we’re talking about the cancellation of most of the harness meet at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield because of rain.

This time around only one racing card out of five was contested at the Illinois State Fair racing meet and all the ISFCS championships had to be relocated in a couple of weeks to Hawthorne, and its all-weather track, depriving racing fans in the middle of the state to see our best state-bred horses compete and many of those horses going without competition for four long weeks.

One thing is certain: The answer to the problem isn’t “maybe it won’t rain again next year during the state fair.”

It was suggested here in the past that the State of Illinois pony-up and spend the money to make the one-mile all dirt Fairgrounds oval a limestone and clay-based track to eliminate the yearly conundrum of racing at Springfield at the mercy of the weather.

It was also mentioned that the Illinois legislators approve a racino at the Springfield Fairgrounds that not only would attract more tourism and create jobs but, in time, pay for the costs for a new all-weather racing surface.

Springfield then can conduct its own extended harness racing meeting any time of the year and again generate more jobs and revenue for the state and the city, as well.

Obviously, those suggestions, thus far, have fallen on deaf ears.

Some say it’s because the auto racing people, who come to town once a year, don’t want the Springfield racing surface changed. I say if there’s money to be made, they’ll race on the limestone track.

Others give additional reasons. Some valid, some not.

Okay, so let’s toss out another idea to solve the rainy problem.

The Springfield Fairgrounds also has an all-dirt half-mile track used for training. What about spending less money on this smaller oval and making it an all-weather racetrack.

When the big track is unfit for racing, the races could be shifted to the smaller oval.

Yes, there are some obstacles to be solved. Such as erecting four or five stands for TV cameras. Maybe even a judge’s stand. Quarter-mile poles are needed with timing devices. A photo finish facility is necessary, and so on. Nevertheless, all that can be done and incorporated in the cost of a new surface.

As far as the attendees of the races are concerned, let them remain in the current Fairgrounds grandstand and have large TV screens displayed throughout. That way the wagering and concession amenities won’t be affected.

What about the horses that can’t get around a half-mile oval?

We can execute what the Thoroughbred people do when inclement weather prevents racing on the grass. They transfer it to the main dirt track.

In our case, when necessary, we can move the races from an unsafe muddy big track to the smaller all-weather half-miler and give trainers the option to scratch their horse if he or she deems it necessary.

For as long as I can remember, horsemen, along with their horses and help, would travel to Springfield from all over the state every August, not knowing if they were going to race. That’s no way to manage an industry that’s been on life-support for too many years.

I’m sure there are other ideas from others to make horse racing at the Illinois State Fair a dead certainty on an annual basis.

Doing nothing at all doesn’t solve any problem.