Top trainers raring to go as racing returns to Arlington Park
Due to a contract dispute between the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Arlington International Racecourse, the gates were locked on the track's backstretch until this past Saturday.
Thanks to a settlement, the longtime thoroughbred institution will unlock the grandstand doors in time for another summer of racing with a 74-day meet beginning Friday and running through Sept. 24.
General admission is free on Friday, opening day. Racing will be conducted on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in May and June.
In July and August, the schedule expands to four days (adding Thursday) and then back to three days a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) for the final three weeks in September.
The track's showcase event, the 34th Arlington Million, will be Aug. 13.
Horses began arriving to the backstretch last Saturday, one day after the agreement was reached between the ITHA and Arlington officials.
Larry Rivelli is ready to defend his training title but he expects tough competition from Michael Stidham, who won his first Fair Grounds meet this spring in New Orleans. Stidham has called Arlington his home for about the past 20 summers.
“We're going to try to defend our title again,” said Rivelli, who has won the last two at Arlington. “But that will be tougher this time because I know Stidham has a ton of horses over there.”
Rivelli was pointing toward Stidham's barn, located just about a dozen lengths south in the front row of the backstretch.
Rivelli, a former star running back at Crystal Lake South High School, grew up on the Arlington backstretch working for his grandfather, Peter Divito, and uncle Jimmy. Rivelli's horses won 59 races in 2014 and 72 last summer.
“This is home for me and my owners,” he said. “The purses are up significantly from last year when we just kind of grinded out.
“We did well but didn't make much money (lesser purses). Hopefully now we are headed in the right direction.”
Stidham hopes he is headed in the right direction after winning the Fair Grounds (New Orleans) meet, which began Nov. 19 and concluded March 27. He won 38 races from 186 starts.
“I would love to win a title at Arlington,” Stidham said. “We won our first one at Fair Grounds and it would be great to do the same at Arlington.
“But Rivelli is always tough to beat. He has a lot of horses who fit well here. He will be very tough to beat, but we will do the best we can.”
Stidham also looks forward to the track's turf racing.
“Traditionally, there is always a lot of good turf racing here and nothing has changed about that this summer,” he said. “That's what I love so much about Arlington. It's probably the best turf course in the country.
“I love living in this area every summer and the racing at Arlington is always a first-class operation.”
Among other top trainers from 2015 expected back are top Illinois-bred conditioner Chris Block, along with Scott Becker, Steve Manley, Brian Williamson, Ingrid Mason, Dale Bennett, Frank Kirby and Tammy Domenosky.
Michael Maker and Armando De la cerda, handling a string of horses for Midwest Thoroughbred, also should make a presence.
Jockey Costantino Roman plans to ride for De la cerda.
“I love the turf at Arlington,” said Roman who won 18 races last summer. “It's a big wide track and real nice turf.”
Defending riding champion Jose Valdivia (80 wins) and 2015 runner-up Mitchell Murrill (72) are back.
Murrill was the third-leading rider at the Fair Grounds with 66 wins while Valdivia was 10th with 34 wins. They were behind meet champion Florent Geroux (82), and agent Doug Bredar could have him ride at Arlington for big events this summer.
Geroux was second in the standings in 2014 (82 wins) and fifth last year (46 wins) when he won the Arlington Million with The Pizza Man.
Veteran E.T. Baird, a Rolling Meadows High School grad, returns to the saddle along with nearly all the other top riders from 2015.
Expect plenty of turf racing on one of the finest grass courses in the country. Weather cooperating, Arlington officials plan to give fans plenty of turf events.
Arlington's closed-circuit television monitors will once again keep fans updated on the racing with on-air personalities such as Howard Sudberry (senior director of marketing and communication), Alyssa Ali (marketing manager and racing reporter) and Brian Spencer (manager of communications manager and racing analyst).
“Alyssa talks about all the different entertainment aspects at the track and she plans all the fun events we have (live bands, Chicago Bears Day, etc.),” Sudberry said.
This weekend will include music along with food and drink specials all built around the Kentucky Derby on Saturday and Arlington's traditional celebration of Mother's Day.
“It's a huge weekend,” Sudberry said. “And we're all set to go. In addition, we have this wonderful place to do everything. That's why we are able to draw so many people.”