Arlington Park has high hopes for 34th Million Day
Horses, and fans, have flown in from around the world for this weekend's big event - the 34th running of the Arlington Million at Arlington International Racecourse.
With a lineup filled with top horses and a day full of entertainment on tap, Saturday will be a day not to miss, said Howard Sudberry, director of marketing and communications for the track.
"Between the music, the pageantry, the food, the drink, the fashion, the world-class horse racing - this is going to be a terrific day," Sudberry said.
Gates will open at 10:30 a.m., with the first of eight races leading up to the Million - including the Beverly D, Secretariat Stakes and the American St. Leger - starting at 12:15 p.m.
"It's one of the best Million days we've seen in quite a while," Sudberry said.
After the second race of the day, the annual "Best Dressed" competition will take place near the paddock and Jim Cornelison will sing the national anthem.
"It's worth the price of admission alone just to hear him," Sudberry said of the singer best known for his anthem performances before Chicago Blackhawks games.
Turn your eyes to the sky for a special surprise as members of the Marine Air Control Group will sky-dive into the center of the track after Cornelison's performance.
Between races, head down to the winner's circle for live music and the chance to see some celebrities. Mike Ditka, "The Good Wife" and "Chicago Fire" actress Monica Raymond, and retired Blackhawks Eddie Olczyk and Denis Savard will be there, Sudberry said.
The big event - the Arlington Million - will be run at 5:09 p.m. as The Pizza Man, last year's winner and the first winning horse from Illinois, will make his bid to be the first back-to-back winner.
The Pizza Man hasn't had as strong a season this year, but Sudberry said he is healthy and ready to run. Either way, there is a lot of pride that comes with having a local horse competing against those who have traveled from England or France.
"The fact that he's local just makes it extra special," he said. "(The Pizza Man) is a very popular horse. He gets a round of a applause whenever he appears in the paddock or walks out on the track. He's a local star."
With a decline in purses in Illinois as surrounding states have increased the amount and types of gambling allowed, Sudberry said the number of horses being foaled in the state has declined.
"There aren't as many, but there is a lot of quality," he said.
Track owner Richard Duchossois will be joined by Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville and Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell to hand the Million trophy to the winner.
After last year's rainstorm in the middle of Million day, Saturday's forecast of sunny skies and mid-80 temperatures looks good for a crowded day at the track. Officials are expecting up to 35,000 people to visit the Arlington Heights racecourse this weekend.
"It's a community event that everybody in Arlington Heights and the Northwest suburbs can be proud of," Sudberry said. "This is their racetrack."