Arlington International Racecourse is open to running an abbreviated 2020 race meet without spectators, sources say, a change from the suburban Chicago track’s previously stated position that spectator-free racing couldn’t be considered because of financial issues. Arlington and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association appear to have grown closer to agreeing on a contract for a 2020 racing season, sources with knowledge of negotiations said, as the Illinois Racing Board on Wednesday announced it would hold a special meeting on Friday in advance of a regularly scheduled Board meeting later this month. Among the agenda items on Friday’s meeting is a request from Arlington to amend the IRB’s 2020 dates order to change race days and post times. Arlington was supposed to begin its season on May 1 but still hasn’t opened its stabling area due to the COVID-19 outbreak. At the May IRB meeting, Arlington president Tony Petrillo testified that the proposals for reopening this summer the track had put forth to state and local officials outlined racing with spectators, a dynamic that seems implausible at any point this summer and fall because of COVID-19 restrictions. It was just this week that Illinois advanced to a Phase 3, “cautious reopening” of businesses and public spaces in the state. :: Want to get your Past Performances for free? Click to learn more. Petrillo testified last month that Arlington’s business model precluded racing without fans but the Churchill Downs Inc.-owned track, from several accounts, has moved off that stance. Arlington also appears to be willing to cancel the entire 2020 open stakes schedule, including the Arlington Million, to devote purse money to overnight races that better support local horsemen. Sticking points in the contract negotiations seem to center on the ITHA’s desire to have Arlington defer some or all of the recapture money it’s due this year and Arlington’s preference to have any agreement with the horsemen cover a 2021 racing season in addition to this year’s. ITHA representatives at the May IRB meeting said horsemen required the backstretch and training facilities open at least 30 days before a meet begins, which would push the start of a 2020 season back to sometime in July. Horseman also said they wanted the meet to include at least 30 racing days. Hawthorne resumes an interrupted harness-racing meet Saturday and has committed to hosting it’s fall Thoroughbred season. Hawthorne said it would waive its 2020 recapture to dedicate that money to its flagging purse account.