It is the end of an era for both Arlington Park and Chicago horse racing. The crown jewel facility and premier Illinois meet will cease to exist on September 25th. Chicago summers will never be the same as Hawthorne Casino and Racecourse will be the only place left for live racing near Chicago.
While the sun will continue to shine even after Arlington closes, there are so many things that will be missed. The beautiful flower adorned entrances, stunning paddock, historical John Henry statue, grand staircase and elegant Million Room were consistent joys of the Arlington experience. Shrouded in these staples, however, was the fact that Arlington was a track of many faces. The entertainment options offered a value for anyone willing to stop in. Each day of the week set a distinct tone and vibe for the patrons.
The Many Faces of Arlington Park
Any time the track ran on Monday thru Thursday was for the true horseplayers. The clientele was mostly the dedicated few who cared about betting on Illinois breds. Corporate outings were always happening (it was A LOT cheaper to do it then instead of on a weekend), but the vibe during the week was filled with hearty horse-talk. The crowd was always a bit older, with the usual large groups of retirees and elder statesmen.
The Party in the Park
As the end of the work week approached, Friday would kick off the weekend with the appropriately named Party in the Park. The track delayed the normal 1st post time until 3:00 so hordes of happy hour revelers had a chance to start the weekend early. Drink specials, live bands, a great outdoor party atmosphere, and a chill crowd of mainly professionals made Fridays a great day to be at Arlington. My mind is filled with memories of getting there early to save a good table for whatever friend group agreed to meet me there that day.
With the great crowd, free flowing adult beverages, and summer sunshine, there were many Fridays where we would hardly even see the betting windows. In fact, there were times the only reminder we were even at a racetrack was the sight/sound of the horses running by as they entered the stretch.
Saturdays are For the Boys
As Saturday came around, a completely different crowd would make its way to the track. Families with older kids, the dating crowd, and people who just wanted to enjoy the outdoors would dominate the scene. Some would bring their families to hang out in the grassy park area. Others would congregate in pods to handicap and talk racing. The 3rd floor, where the fine restaurants were located, was filled with the appropriately attired high falutin crowd. While I could never imagine volunteering to wear a sport coat and uncomfortable shoes on a Saturday at the track, these folks brought an aura of prominence to the establishment.
Arlington often obliged the more serious players with a stakes race or two on a Saturday. The grandstand benches would be filled. The restaurants, both inside and out, were overflowing with hungry gamblers. The reserved boxes were sold out in advance. Saturday at Arlington could be whatever kind of day you chose for it to be.
Sunday Family Day
Arlington then comforted the weary masses with a low-key and fun way to wind down the weekend. Sunday Family Day attracted every brood with young kids. There was entertainment for everyone. The Party in the Park was transformed into a kid-friendly entertainment mecca. Pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and roaming entertainers kept even the most difficult to please kids occupied. Youngsters had the chance to join Arlington’s Junior Jockey Club and participate in kid friendly tours, jockey meet and greets, and other special events just for the young ones. As every parent knows, the best way to have a great day is to keep the kids happy. Arlington took care of that for you.
Sprinkle in a few other big celebrations throughout the meet and Arlington had it all. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July, Million Day, and Labor Day Closing weekend. This was the calendar that has marked my summers for many years.
What About the Horse Racing?
The saddest and most important part of all this is what got forgotten among all the weekend’s fanfare. The horse racing!
While horseplayers dominated the scene during the week, upon the weekend’s arrival, the racing became secondary to the entertainment. I can recall several occurrences of visiting Arlington more than once in a weekend and never actually making a bet. Friday after work was for having a few cocktails and winding down. Saturdays were for bringing a date or picnicking with friends (and having a few more cocktails). Sundays were for taking the whole family. As a semi-professional handicapper and hardcore horseplayer this seems unfathomable. But its true. And maybe that is the bigger issue.
Horse racing has been trying to make their facilities entertainment centers for everyone while ignoring the actual product they are selling. I have often joked that Arlington Park is the most beautiful track in the country…. until the $4,000 maiden claiming Illinois breds limp onto the track.
Las Vegas went through their “family friendly phase” decades ago. Circus Circus, the waterpark on the strip, and all the other kiddie attractions are long gone. After that failed experiment, the Las Vegas casinos realized that adult entertainment and gambling is the real draw. As legalized gambling continues its legislative crawl across the country, horse racing needs to also realize that the gambling offering of these casinos is their real competition. Charging admission to enjoy a day in the sun and then selling overpriced food/drinks will only get you so far. Quality racing should be the true value offering.
The Future Belongs to Hawthorne Casino and Racecourse
Who would have guessed that Hawthorne Racecourse, which has offered only horse racing until adding a sportsbook a few months ago, would be the sole racetrack survivor near Chicago. Maybe it is because they concentrated on what they did best….horse racing.
Who could know whether a stricter focus on racing could have saved Arlington from its imminent demise. Hindsight is 20/20. No matter the reason, Arlington Park will be missed.
Long live Illinois racing and Hawthorne Casino and Racecourse!
