A state audit has found that state fairs in both Springfield and DuQuoin overcharged entrance fees for horses in racing events. But the Department of Agriculture says it's a consequence of the state contributing $200,000 less toward the purse.
The audit also found that the DuQuoin fair only held three out of the five prescribed days of horse racing.
Agency spokesman Jeff Squibb, says that also is a casualty of budget cuts. He says the DuQuoin fair cut its biggest horse racing event, known as the World Trotting Derby, in 2010.
"When that race was no longer held, the number of horses that were entered into DuQuoin races began to decline," Squibb said, "and, quite simply, today there are not enough horses to fill up five full days of racing.
Squibb says the DuQuoin fair again will have only three days this year.