FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Zenner
(847) 385-7535
Cell (847) 371-1670
Fax: (847) 385-7251
Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com
ARLINGTON PARK TO OFFER HIGH-DEFINITION SIMULCAST OF EVERY RACE DURING 2010 MEET
Select Locations On-Track to Offer “HD” Signal
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (April 20, 2010) – Arlington Park will offer high definition (“HD”) simulcasts of all of its races when the historic Chicago area track opens its 2010 Thoroughbred meet on April 29. In doing so Arlington Park will become the only the fifth track in North America to offer a high-definition simulcast signal to on-track and simulcast patrons.
The HD simulcasts will be available at select simulcast outlets and at several on-track locations as well as on twinspires.com, the only online wagering platform to show HD signals, during the 91-day Arlington Park meet that will run through Sept. 26.
“The debut of high definition simulcasting at Arlington is another step in our continuing effort to improve the Arlington racing experience for our horsemen, on-track fans, and customers who will enjoy our races in OTBs, simulcast centers or the comfort of their homes on twinspires.com,” said Arlington Park President Roy Arnold. “The addition of HD simulcasting is just one of many improvements our guests will find when they come to Arlington Park this summer.”
Arlington’s high-definition simulcast will present live racing in full 16:9 HD format, offering customers a larger and clearer view of the race itself. In addition, on-screen graphics and racing information will be presented in high definition within the 16:9 format allowing for additional, enhanced wagering information and previous race results provided by BRIS for both the on-track and simulcast customer.
Arlington has invested in state of the art hardware including Sony HD broadcast cameras to enhance the racing experience from the wide and tight race angles along with the paddock, winner circle and alternate finish line views. More than 100 HDTVs on-track at Arlington Park will benefit from the high-definition signal. Those televisions will be spread throughout the facility in both luxury seating locations and areas open to the general public. Locations include the new Longshots Sports Bar (located on the east end of the Apron level), Silks Lounge, International Room, Million Room, Turf Club, Governor’s Room, Gold Club, Terrace Café, Arc on the Apron, John Henry Suite, Million Suite, Beverly D. Suite and the Starting Gate Theatre.
Trackside Arlington Park will carry the HD broadcast from Arlington, Churchill, Calder and the Fair Grounds in 2010.
Arlington Park is also working with select OTBs and racetracks across the country to provide the technology needed to take advantage of high-definition simulcasts.
The 2010 Meet at Arlington Park will also be offered in a typical standard-definition format for facilities without HD technology in place.
The Arlington Park season will feature a 27-event stakes schedule with purses in excess of $5 million highlighted by the International Festival of Racing on Saturday, Aug. 21 featuring three Grade I turf races – the Arlington Million, the $750,000 Beverly D. and the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes.
Arlington Park – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run a 91-day meet in 2010 from Thursday, April 29 through Sunday, Sept. 26. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 10 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities – Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Chicago, Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Waukegan, Shooters Bar & Grill at Don Carter Lanes featuring Trackside Rockford, Fat Sam’s Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in Lockport, Lucky’s featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino’s featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, Tad’s Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit and Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.
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