'The Final Turn' Underway at Arlington

The first weekend in May truly was a tale of two cities: Louisville, Ky., and Arlington Heights, Ill.

With apologies to Charles Dickens, it looked like the best of times at Churchill Downs as the sun shone bright on fans who returned to the stands as pandemic rules eased and the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) was back in its traditional date.

At Arlington International Racecourse, it was the worst of times as the track faces the end of the road and demolition at the end of the meeting that kicked off April 30.

Arlington's gates, like those at Churchill Downs, were open to the limited number of fans lucky enough to snatch up advance-sale tickets. But, once inside, they found an environment that was only a shadow of the glory days of a facility often called the world's most beautiful racetrack.

The paddock area, Arlington's "backyard," where fans normally get up close and personal with horses, was barricaded. Many concessions, including the center food court, were shuttered. Some of that is due to the COVID-19 limitations on attendance.

Other changes are more obviously related to the imminent demise of the track. Furnishings—even the set of Queen Elizabeth's silks which used to decorate the clubhouse entrance—have vanished.

Looking down the schedule, even the iconic Arlington Million (G1T) is gone, replaced by the $600,000 Mister D. Stakes (G1T), honoring former owner Richard Duchossois in advance of his 100th birthday Oct. 7.

The marketing catch phrase for the meeting?

"The Final Turn."

Yet, while the long-term outlook is bleak, none of that prevented the fans who attended opening day from having a good time. The vista from the apron across the track was the new green of springtime and the grandstand's signature cantilevered roof still made its architectural statement.

The cheers and groans at the finish were no different than any other day at the races.

Arlington faces the wrecking ball because its owner, the same Churchill Downs Inc. that partied through the weekend in Louisville, has deemed the property is worth more as development land than as a racing facility—the same math that doomed Hollywood Park and Calder Race Course. Bids for the property are due by mid-June.

In Arlington's case, the equation was thrown totally out of whack when CDI took a majority stake in Rivers Casino, less than 15 miles away, and declined the opportunity to install a competing casino at the track. The lack of gaming revenue has been the driving factor in depressing Illinois racing through the past two decades.

CDI is expected to include in any sale agreement a provision prohibiting the new owners from using the property for gaming. The Arlington Heights Daily Herald reported the village board will consider prohibiting such a move.

At least two coalitions of horsemen have discussed putting together a bid but neither group seems optimistic.

Larry Rivelli, Arlington's perennial leading trainer and the lead player in one group, said he could put together a competitive bid financially but feels it wouldn't make any difference.

"I just don't think they want to sell it to us," he said.

"Usually, I'm the favorite around here," Rivelli added. "In this thing, I'm the longest shot on the board."

Mike Campbell, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, is leading another group whose prospects look equally dim.

Arlington president Tony Petrillo said he walked out to the first turn before the start of racing on opening day to look back at the grandstand, fans, and lush landscaping.

"I called Mr. D at home just to tell him how beautiful this is," Petrillo said.

With attendance still capped by pandemic precautions, the final season will start "with the focus strictly on the racing. We're not going to have the petting zoos and the food trucks and the family-friendly things that Arlington was built for," he said.

"Maybe if things ease up and we can have more people, we can return to some bands and other entertainment, that sort of thing," Petrillo added. "Mr. D did build this with families in mind."

Absent Arlington, Hawthorne Race Course in Chicago's near-west suburbs would be the sole remaining area track. Hawthorne is in the midst of building out a casino that horsemen hope will provide a big boost for purses and partially compensate—financially—for the loss of Arlington.