2011 Kentucky Derby Magazine Presents Arlington Park Overview

Arlington Park is a colorful and historic racetrack that is located just outside of Chicago in Arlington Heights, Illinois.  Arlington Park, which opened for business in 1927, holds several historical distinctions.  It was the first racetrack to utilize a public address system over which the race call could be heard around the Park, and it was also the first track to install an electronic tote calculator.  Another significant Arlington Park innovation involved purse money; Arlington was the home of the first seven figure horse race, the Arlington Million, in 1981, when Hall of Fame jockey Bill Shoemaker guided the great John Henry across the finish line in front.

Arlington Park offers live racing from May through September, so it is a great summer destination for Midwestern horse racing enthusiasts.  Arlington is the site of the Grade 1 Beverley D. Stakes, the Secretariat Stakes, and of course the Arlington Million.  It also hosts a pair of Grade 2 events:  the American Derby and the Washington Park Handicap.

A visit to Arlington Park is a great way to spend some time when you are in the Chicago area. And when you’re not, you can take advantage of all of the fantastic live racing that is streaming from racetracks all over the country over the Internet each and every day.

By: Patrick Garry

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