My summer home

I've been going to Arlington Park for over 60 years, so I have a lot of good memories. My parents started taking me when I was only 2 years old. We'd attend every weekend and holiday throughout the summer.

I did the same with my sons Sam and Ben, who I took to AP when they were just 3 months old. They loved going to AP, especially on Family Day, when they could ride the ponies. They also enjoyed seeing the horses in the paddock and high-fiving the jockeys as they walked by. In fact, they learned to count by looking at the horse's saddle cloths.

Other fond memories include going with my friends, Fourth of July fireworks, seeing Secretariat and Cigar run, the inaugural Arlington Million, the Miracle Million, and the 13-day International Festival of Racing.

The year after the fest, we enjoyed watching the races under the tents. Attending Breakfast at Arlington, where I would arrive at 7:30 a.m., watch the horses work out, and then spend the whole day there. I remember the opening of the new Arlington International and how beautiful it was and still is.

Arlington Park has been my summer home. It is a shame that CDI closed it and sold the property. I'm hoping for one more Arlington miracle where the Bears see fit to sell a portion of the land to a group of investors who will reopen one of the most beautiful tracks in the country.

Rob Testo

St. Charles