Horse racing in the Chicago area came to an end in July with the closure of Hawthorne Race Course. This occurrence happened 40 years after Arlington Park hosted a significant event in Illinois racing history. In 1986, Arlington Park celebrated the International Festival of Racing, a 13-day event that ran from August 19 to September 1. Held in a festive setting with tents and temporary bleachers, this was the most prestigious meeting in Illinois racing.
Featuring 13 graded races—six Grade I, four Grade II, and three Grade III—the Festival also included four major races for Illinois-breds. Known for its high-level races, the event amassed total purses exceeding $5 million, averaging $385,000 daily. This was unmatched in Illinois at the time, except for Arlington hosting the Breeders’ Cup in 2002.
Fiscal mismanagement led to the downfall of horse racing in Chicagoland. The International Festival of Racing was inspired by the previous year’s “Miracle Million,” which took place at Arlington less than a month after a devastating fire. The success of “Miracle Million” motivated Arlington owner Dick Duchossois to replicate short festivals from Europe.
Duchossois saw the potential of having a world-class track in the Midwest, emphasizing Arlington’s grass course quality. The track offered diverse concession stands, mimicking a miniature Taste of Chicago. The Arlington Million was the centerpiece, the first million-dollar race in the world, starting in 1981.
In 1986, Estrapade, a 6-year-old mare, won the Million with a record 5-length margin, making her the only female winner in its history. Estrapade was owned by Allen Paulston and trained by Charlie Whittingham. Her victory was hailed as an impactful moment, emphasizing her contribution to women’s advancement in horse racing.
The Festival drew top trainers and jockeys, including winners of significant races like Top Corsage and the biggest upset, Sumptuous, a 35-1 long shot. Notably, Explosive Darling, owned by Duchossois, won the Grade II Stars and Stripes Handicap.
The festival’s success led Duchossois to apply for an extended 91-day meeting in 1987, which was approved. However, plans to relocate the track were abandoned in favor of rebuilding at Arlington Heights, reopening in 1989 to acclaim. Architectural Digest praised the new track for its beauty.
Duchossois merged Arlington with Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) in the early 2000s. CDI later acquired Rivers Casino nearby and sold Arlington, stipulating no gambling. The Bears purchased the property and demolished the track. Arlington’s final meeting was in 2021.
Reflecting on Duchossois’ legacy, Bob Kieckhofer from The Blood-Horse noted his pioneering role in international racing. Duchossois’ influence on the sport continues to be a poignant reminder of the heights achieved in 1986 now contrasted with the decline in Illinois racing.
Neil Milbert, a freelance writer, chronicled horse racing for the Chicago Tribune for four decades.