Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:2200 W Euclid Ave.
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Our Sports Superfan Says:
While there are plenty of racetracks in the Chicago area, the one with the best races, and the highest stakes, is Arlington Park. Home to the first million-dollar race in horse racing history, Arlington Park is open for racing from May to September each year.
Arlington Park opened in 1927, and is one of the most pioneering tracks in thoroughbred racing. Aside from the Arlington Millions, that first ever $1 million race that began in 1981, Arlington Park was the first track to have a public address system, electronic boards, photo finish camera, a huge closed circuit TV system, and wagering on trifectas.
The park also went through two very bad periods. In 1985, a small fire grew out of control and damaged much of Arlington Park. The track was closed for four years, with the Arlington Millions being the lone race run there. In 1989 the track reopened, only to shut down again in 1998 while the track's owners sold it to Churchill Downs Incorporated. It finally reopened for good in 2000 under the new management. In 2002, Arlington Park hosted the Breeders' Cup World Championship.
The park hosts a number of highly graded stakes races each year throughout its meet. During the offseason, the track also hosts many other events. In the past, these have included pet shows, jewelry expos, and other conventions.
Arlington Park is located in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Ill., about 30 miles northwest of the city. The Metrarail service offers a train to the track from the Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago, on the Union Pacific Northwest Line.