Goodrich leaving Arlington

Cliff Goodrich is leaving his post as president of Arlington Park, just three years after relocating to Chicago from his longtime home in California.

Goodrich's tenure will conclude in early January, leaving Arlington and its parent company, Churchill Downs Inc., to seek a replacement.

The Arlington racing season begins in May, but Illinois racetracks are locked in a legislative battle to bring additional revenue, perhaps in the form of ontrack slots, into the racing industry.

"Sometimes, it got to the point where I really felt I had done as much as I could do," said the 62-year-old Goodrich. "We had our brand-new granddaughter, and I asked. 'Do I really need to work this hard?' "

Goodrich had a 19-year association with Santa Anita Park, where he once served as president and chief operating officer, and said he plans to return to California and might look into serving as a consultant in the racing industry.

Goodrich arrived at Arlington in late 2002 after the track's former president Steve Sexton left to become president of Churchill Downs.