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Arlington Park history
Arlington Park company history timeline
The club bought just over 1,000 acres in June 1927 and held its first race in front of 20,000 shivering spectators Oct.
1927 - Arlington Park Racetrack was opened in October 13, when over 20,000 spectators came to witness jockey Joe Bollero win the first race aboard Luxembourg.
Described as “the most beautiful track in America”, Arlington began Thoroughbred racing on October 13, 1927, when more than 20,000 fans braved the cold weather to celebrate the event in high style.
(Chicago Tribune, June 19, 1933)
1933 - Arlington installs the world's first all-electric totalisator.
1934 - Arlington runs turf races for the first time in Illinois history.
A view of the paddock before a race at Arlington Park Race Track in 1937. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
(Chicago Tribune, July 5, 1941)
• Became the first track to bank the turns on its turf track in 1941.
1942 - Arlington becomes the first track ever to bank the turns on its turf track.
(Chicago Tribune, July 16, 1955)
1971 - Arlington hosts the first commercially sponsored $100,000 race in the United States - the Pontiac Grand Prix and introduces Trifecta wagering in Chicago.
[ The Chicago Bears have called Soldier Field home since 1971 — but they have flirted with leaving the downtown stadium several times since ]
After capturing the 1973 Triple Crown -- winning the Belmont Stakes by an incredible 31 lengths -- Secretariat came to Arlington June 30 for the Arlington Invitational Stakes.
(Chicago Tribune, July 1, 1973)
18, 1983. (Phil Mascione / Chicago Tribune)
• Richard Duchossois led an investment group to purchase the track in 1983.
1985 - Fire devastates the original grandstand facility.
Under the same basic theme of pageantry that characterized the 1985 Million, the Festival offered the most complete package of events, festivity and world class racing ever presented in a two-week time span.
The following season, in 1986, Arlington conducted a 13-day International Festival of Racing in late August and early September.
Jockey Fernando Toro brings Estrapade home to a runaway victory in the Arlington Million in 1986. (Ed Wagner/Chicago Tribune)
He bought out his partners in 1986.
Construction of the new six-story Grandstand began in September 1987 and was completed in a record 19 months.
1987 - With a victory at Arlington, Jack Van Berg becomes the first trainer to win 5,000 races.
On July 13, 1996, Cigar came to Arlington to win his 16th consecutive race to tie Citation’s modern day record.
1996 - Arlington hosts the Arlington Citation Challenge, in which Cigar ties Citation's record for 16 consecutive victories, as well as the simulcast of the first Dubai World Cup, the world's first $4 million race, in North and South America.
Beginning in 1997, Million Day included two other high-stakes races, the Beverly D. and the Secretariat.
2000 - Arlington reopens after a two-year absence.
Arlington continued to be a leader in Throughbred horse racing at the turn of the century and eventually merged with Churchill Downs Incorporated in 2000.
In 2002, Arlington hosted a sold-out crowd of 46,118 for the 2002 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, which was the first ever held in the Midwest.
• In 2010, Mount Prospect's Lee DeWyze performed in front of 41,369 two weeks before being named Season 9 "American Idol" champion.
Arlington returned to its former name, Arlington International Racecourse, in 2013 as it continues to provide world class Thoroughbred racing and customer service to the Chicagoland area.
17, 2013. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Chicago Tribune)
"The event still raised our attendance and handle 13 percent for the rest of the meet," said Thayer, who died at age 89 in 2015.
In 2015, the Pizza Man became the only Illinois-bred horse to win the event.
An estimated 10,000 people attend Arlington’s final day of the 2021 season, possibly placing their last bets ever at the racetrack.
25, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)
Tour nine creative gardens during McHenry County walkJoin the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners for Garden Walk 2021 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Arlington Park competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walter Payton's Roundhouse | - | $1.6M | 30 | - |
| Central Rock Gym | 2009 | $880,000 | 50 | - |
| Claremont Club & Spa - A Fairmont Hotel | 1915 | $37.0M | 375 | - |
| The Bay Club Company | - | $2.1M | 125 | 144 |
| Laurel Park | - | $640,000 | 6 | - |
| University Ridge Golf Course | 1991 | $490,000 | 50 | - |
| Buffalo Bills | 1959 | $680,000 | 7 | 1 |
| Sportsbarn | 1979 | $5.0M | 100 | - |
| Wonderscope Children's Museum of Kansas City | 1989 | $430,000 | 9 | - |
| El Caballero Country Club | 1957 | $50.0M | 125 | - |
Arlington Park history FAQs
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Arlington Park may also be known as or be related to Arlington International Racecourse, Arlington International Racecourse LLC, Arlington International Racecourse, LLC, Arlington Park and Arlington Park Racecourse, LLC.