Tag: Arlington Park

Richard Duchossois was a decorated World War II vet and an accomplished businessman who remade Arlington Park into one of the country's most beautiful racetracks. He died Friday at 100. (Image: Matthew Bowie)

Horse Racing Icon, Businessman Richard Duchossois Dies at 100

- 3 min read

Richard Duchossois, who went from decorated World War II hero to horse racing hero to millions of racing fans through his ownership of Arlington Park, died at his suburban Chicago home on Friday. He was 100. The businessman and philanthropist died four months after Arlington Park ran its last race. […]

Formerly known as Fairmount Park, FanDuel Racing is ground zero for a battle between the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association and Churchill Downs Inc. over whether CDI can operate its TwinSpires ADW in the state. (Image; Derik Holtmann/Belleville News-Democrat)

Illinois HBPA Rejects CDI’s Bid to Operate its ADW in the State

- 3 min read

The board of directors of the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association rejected its consent for Churchill Downs Incorporated’s TwinSpires advance-deposit wagering (ADW) betting platform to operate in the state of Illinois. Under Illinois law, horsemen get consent rights for an ADW platform to operate in the state. State law […]

This battle of geldings went to Two Emmys (back), who nipped Domestic Spending in the final Mr. D Stakes at Arlington Park. Two Emmys won't go off near his 27/1 price in Friday's Grade 3 Sycamore at Keeneland. (Image: Coady Photography)

After 27/1 Shocker, What Can Two Emmys Bring to the Keeneland Stage?

- 2 min read

When Two Emmys won August’s Mr. D Stakes at Arlington Park at 27/1, Hugh Robertson was the trainer of record. When Two Emmys leaves the Keeneland starting gate for Friday’s Grade 3 Sycamore Stakes, where he’s the 3/1 morning-line favorite, Mac Robertson will be the trainer of record. What’s going […]

The next time fans watch a sporting event from the former site of Arlington Park International Racecourse, it likely will be Bears instead of horses. The Chicago Bears entered an agreement with track owner Churchill Downs Incorporated to buy the race track property. (Image: Arlington Park)

Chicago Bears Enter Agreement to Buy Arlington Park From CDI

- 3 min read

Four days after the gate went up on Arlington Park’s final race, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced it signed an agreement to sell the storied race track to the Chicago Bears. The story was first reported Tuesday evening by The Athletic. Under the Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA), the Bears will […]

Arlington Park crowds like this made the Arlington Million one of the must-see races of the summer at any North American track. The 94-year-old Chicago-area track runs its final races Saturday. (Image: Arlington Park)

Another Race Track Enters the History Books: Arlington Park (1927-2021)

- 4 min read

Arlington Park will command a lion’s share of the horse racing world’s attention Saturday. It will command that attention without a stakes race on its nine-race card. And many paying attention will do so with tears in their eyes. Saturday is the final day of Thoroughbred racing at Arlington Park. […]

Arlington Park faces a very uncertain future heading into what is likely its final high-profile turn. That's Saturday's Grade 1 Mr. D Stakes, a race formerly known as the Arlington Million. (Image: Coady Photography)

Arlington Park’s Mr. D Stakes May Send Iconic Race Into the History Book

- 4 min read

The Mr. D. Stakes is the race made famous by another name – the Arlington Million. When you’re the first horse race offering a seven-figure purse, you want that “Million” in the title. At this point in what is a bittersweet, likely final running of the race formerly known as […]

Arlington Park issued layoff notices to all union employees over the weekend. The suburban Chicago track is on the selling block and current owner Churchill Downs Inc. plans selling to a non-racetrack entity. (Image: Arlington Park)

It’s Happening: Arlington Park Issues Layoff Notices to Employees

- 2 min read

The ticking clock on Arlington Park’s 97-year history of racing sped up this weekend when employees for the iconic suburban Chicago track were issued layoff notices. According to the notice, which the Chicago Daily Herald reported, track workers will lose their jobs within 14 days of the Sept. 25 season […]

Arlington Park, located in the Chicago suburbs, is one of North America's top race tracks. Owner Churchill Downs Inc. put it up for sale Tuesday, imperiling its racing future. (Image: Arlington Park)

Churchill Downs Puts Iconic Arlington Park on the Sales Block

- 3 min read

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Tuesday that Arlington Park, one of North America’s most iconic race tracks, and the home of the Arlington Million, is up for sale. Through commercial real estate company CBRE Group, CDI opened the market for the 326-acre Arlington Heights, Ill., property, located in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. […]

Arlington Park played host to racing's first $1 million race in 1981. The 93-year-old track may not race beyond 2021. (Image: Jonathan Daniel/Getty)

Arlington Park A Go In 2021, But is That The Iconic Track’s Finish Line?

- 2 min read

The Illinois Racing Board approved a 68-day 2021 racing schedule for Arlington International Racecourse. But the pressing question hangs over the iconic Chicago-area racetrack. Will that be the last season of Arlington Park racing? The wariness stems from comments Churchill Downs Inc. CEO Bill Carstanjen made on a July conference […]

The Arlington Park finish line won't have some of the world's top Thoroughbred horses sprint through it this year. Track officials and Illinois horsemen can't reach an agreement on 2020 racing. (Image: John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune

Arlington Million Becomes Latest Race Casualty, but Not Because of COVID-19

- 3 min read

The Arlington Million, Illinois’ biggest horse race of the year, is the most prominent casualty of a deadlock between Arlington Park officials and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association agreeing on a new contract. The two entities came to a tentative agreement on a daily purse structure for a 30-day meet […]