Arlington Park opens today, 30 years since devastating 1985 fire
When Arlington International Racecourse opens today it will kick off a summer with the fewest number of racing days in recent history, but organizers said there is a full schedule of activities to attract old and new fans each day of the 2015 season.
Arlington will host 77 days of live racing between today and when the season ends on Sept. 26, down from a peak of 107 in 2003, according to the Illinois Racing Board.
Howard Sudberry, senior director of marketing and communications for Arlington, said the decline in race days has to do with competition from tracks in other states, including those that allow increased gambling.
“The horse population isn't as big as it has been in Illinois, so it's really a product of filling the races and putting a better product out there, the best product we can,” Sudberry said.
Proposals to bring slot machines to Arlington have been on and off the table for years, but increased gambling would help the track stay successful, track officials have urged.
“The purses would go up if we had gaming. That leads to more horses, which leads to having better horses and more high-quality races and yes, more race days,” Sudberry said. “It would be a win-win for the entire industry. We continue to work toward that end and hopefully it will happen soon.”
The decreased schedule means racing will be held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during May and June before going to four days a week in July.
“In the meantime we look forward to our season and it's going to be a great year,” Sudberry said.
Gates open at 2 p.m. Friday with the first post at 3:15 p.m.
On Saturday, Arlington will host its own Derby Day party with a hat contest, mint juleps, a red carpet and more with the gates opening at noon and the first post at 1:15 p.m.
“This is probably the biggest derby party outside of Churchill Downs,” Sudberry said. “It's a great day all leading up to the most exciting two minutes in sports.”
Holiday weekends such as Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day will be celebrated at the track with events such as a drink and meal deals, brunch or a BBQ.
“We have a different event almost every weekend built around our races,” Sudberry said.
Arlington Park will host three Party in the Park After Dark events on the last Friday of June, July and August where the park will stay open with music and entertainment even after racing ends, he said.
Chicago sports teams including the Bears, White Sox and Blackhawks will each be celebrated with their own day at the track with players making special appearances.
“Hopefully the Blackhawks will have the Stanley Cup to bring with them again this year,” Sudberry said.
July 31 marks the 30th anniversary of the massive fire that destroyed the racetrack, and officials said they will pay tribute to some of the first responders who battled the blaze that day.
On Aug. 1 the park will host a new event called “Motors and Music” that will include a classic car show and live bands.
The Arlington Million will be run Aug. 15 and celebrate the “Miracle Million” that was run less than a month after the fire in 1985.
“The good thing that came out of it all was that the show went on, the race was run and the Duchossois family made a commitment to the community to rebuild, and that's why we have this beautiful facility today,” Sudberry said.
California Chrome, winner of the 2014 Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, may be at the 2015 Arlington Million, Sudberry said.
“Racing needs stars and he's one of them,” he said.
The full calendar of events for the 2015 season at Arlington can be found at www.arlingtonpark.com.