Arlington Will Host 18 Stakes in 2021

As perennial leading trainer Larry Rivelli arrives with 100 horses this week, and with 75 other trainers on deck for the 2021 race season that begins April 30, Arlington International Racecourse has announced its full stakes schedule.

As usual, three grade 1s on turf headline its season, though with diminished purses. Last month, Arlington indicated it had renamed the Arlington Million (G1T) as the Mister D. Stakes with a reduced purse of $600,000. Its other two grade 1s—the Bruce D. Stakes (G1T) (formerly the Secretariat Stakes) and the Beverly D. Stakes (G1T)—are worth $300,000 and $400,000, respectively.

The Secretariat was staged for $500,000 in 2019, the Beverly D. $600,000. No stakes were run in 2020 during a COVID-19-impacted meet at Arlington.

The Mister D. and the other two grade 1s, all Aug. 14, honor former track owner Richard L. Duchossois and his family. The Mister D. is 1 1/4 miles, the Bruce D. one mile, and the Beverly D. 1 3/16 miles.

Kieckhefer: Arlington Million Cut to $600K, Renamed for Duchossois

Arlington is now owned by Churchill Downs Inc., which intends to sell the Arlington property for development. This year is expected to be the last year of racing at the plush Chicago area racetrack.

In total, Arlington has 18 stakes scheduled this year, totaling more than $2.5 million in purses, for a meet that continues through Sept. 25.

In addition to the $100,000 Pucker Up Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf, there are four Illinois-bred stakes races being added to what Arlington still calls its Million Day celebration of racing. The Aug. 14 card will showcase eight stakes races for the first time in the track's history, with six of the races contested on the turf.

On July 17, the track will host Million Preview Day. The day features three, $100,000 turf prep races for the grade 1 races on Million Day: the 1 3/16-mile Arlington Stakes (G3T); the 1 3/16-mile Modesty Stakes (G3T), and the listed American Derby at 1 1/16 miles. The first three horses across the finish line will have their entry fees waived to compete on Million Day. The 1 1/16-mile $75,000 Hatoof Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is also slated for the turf July 17.

"We are very excited for the upcoming meet," Arlington president Tony Petrillo said in a release. "Million Day has always been a highly regarded event and now to honor Mr. Duchossois and his family will make this year the most special of all. It is the day that brings the superstars of racing to our state and unprecedented attention to Illinois racing. This maintains an interest in Illinois racing for fans in the state and worldwide."