Arlington Park News Release: ARLINGTON PARK OPEN HOUSE ON FRIDAY, MAY 6 TO KICK-OFF OPENING WEEKEND FESTIVITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Zenner

 (847) 385-7535

Cell (847) 371-1670

Fax: (847) 385-7251

Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com

 

 

ARLINGTON PARK OPEN HOUSE ON FRIDAY, MAY 6

TO KICK-OFF OPENING WEEKEND FESTIVITIES

 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (April 20, 2011) – It will be an “Open House” at Arlington Park when the track will offer free general admission on Opening Day, Friday, May 6, to its customers to kickoff its three-day Opening Weekend Celebration.

 

In this day of on-line coupons offering deep discounts for consumers, Arlington Park is offering customers the “ultimate” discount: FREE!  It’s “Free Friday” at Arlington Park’s “Open House” on Opening Day, Friday, May 6 with free admission for all customers. In addtionm the first 5,000 people to arrive will receive FREE general admission! In addition, customers can get a hot dog and a draft beer, or a hot dog and a soft drink for a just a PENNY. A penny doesn’t buy much anymore, but at Arlington Park’s “Open House” it goes a long way.

 

            “This is our way of saying ‘Welcome Back!’ and a way of getting re-acquainted with the greatest horse racing fans in the world,” said Arlington Park General Manager Tony Petrillo.  “We hope everyone will come out for the first day of what promises to be an exciting season loaded with great racing and great entertainment for the entire family.”

 

Gates will open at 11:15 a.m. for the Opening Day card that starts 3 p.m.  In addition to live racing, Arlington Park will offer simulcast wagering on the Grade I Kentucky Oaks from Churchill Downs as well as advance wagering on the following day’s Grade I Kentucky Derby, presented by Yum! Brands.

 

The Opening Weekend Celebration continues Saturday, May 7, with Chicagoland’s Largest Kentucky Derby Party with a special post time of 12:15 p.m. This is your chance to watch and wager on what is described as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby.

 

“Chicagoland’s Largest Kentucky Derby Party” will feature Mint Juleps, bands, prizes, and contests, including the “$1,000 Ultimate Derby Bet”, a chance for a lucky person to win $1,000 to bet on the Kentucky Derby. New for “Derby Day” this year is the exclusive “Arlington Derby Day Zone,” in which customers will walk the red carpet and enjoy fabulous food and drink in one all inclusive package.

 

Treating Mom and the whole family to Mother’s Day at the races has become an Arlington Park tradition and 2011 will be no exception.  The first 5,000 ladies through the gates on Sunday, May 8, will receive a free rose.  Gates will open at 11:15 a.m. and Mother’s Day post time is 1 p.m. There will be an opportunity to get a free keepsake photo with the whole family taken by one of our roaming photographers, and of course there will also be pony rides and a petting zoo in the Park area to keep the kids happy.

 

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Opening Weekend Celebration

April 20, 2011

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The special Mother’s Day Brunch package in the Million Room is sold out, but there are still seats in the Governor’s Room and International Room for those looking for an upscale day at the races. For a less formal way to spend the Mother’s Day at the track, check out our Marquee Tent package. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 847-385-7410. There are also a wide variety of other dining options available, and drink specials including Mimosas and Bloody Marys.

 

After Opening Day’s Open House, general admission to Arlington Park is $8 most Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday with special $6 Value Day general admission offered on Wednesdays in May and June and Thursdays in July through the end of the season. 

 

In addition, the popular Seniors Day promotion returns for the 2011 season.  Each Wednesday in May and June and each Thursday from July through the end if the meet, customers aged 55 and older can purchase general admission for just $4.

 

General admission to Arlington Park for Million Day is $15. Additional upgrade options are available on line.

 

General admission for premium dates (Kentucky Derby Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Saturday, July 2) will be $10.  Packages combining general admission with a reserved seat for each of these premium days range from $12-$20, available on line.

 

Tickets for all 86 days of the 2011 season are on sale now. For a complete rundown of admission prices and available packages, visit our website at www.arlingtonpark.com

 

Arlington Park – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run an 86-day meet in 2011 from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, Sept. 25. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 11 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, Stanley’s Ale House featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino’s featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, TADS Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins and Sundance Saloon featuring Trackside OTB in Waukegan.  Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.

 

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