Arlington Million Day Will Continue At Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, KY — Local fans longing for the biggest day of horse racing in Illinois will have to hit the road this summer. Arlington Million Day, held at the now-closed Arlington International Racecourse since 1981, returns on Aug. 13 at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Inc., owners of Arlington and Churchill Downs, reached a purchase agreement last September with the Chicago Bears for the Arlington Heights property. Churchill Downs released its 53-race stakes schedule on Tuesday for the spring meet and the special Arlington event at the historic home of the Kentucky Derby.

The spring meet runs from April 30 through July 4, when racing in Kentucky moves to Ellis Park. That racetrack has agreed to let Churchill Downs host racing on Aug. 13 for the Arlington event.

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The one-day Arlington Million Day program will feature nine stakes races that were previously run at Arlington Park. Four stakes will be cumulatively worth $2 million, with the $1 million Arlington Million (Grade I); $500,000 Beverly D. (GI); $300,000 Secretariat (GII); and $200,000 Pucker Up (GIII).

The other Arlington Park races to be staged at Churchill Downs during the Spring Meet are the $250,000 Modesty (GIII); $200,000 Arlington (GIII); $200,000 Chicago (GIII); $200,000 American Derby (Listed); and $175,000 Hanshin.

Churchill Downs said the special day was formed with cooperation from Ellis Park, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and Kentucky horsemen.