AP Insider - Arlington Park Live

Last Saturday at Arlington was Blackhawks Legends day which entailed appearances by owner Rocky Wirtz, legends Bobby Hull and Denis Savard, and current coach Joel Quenneville.

It was a great day with great weather! People stood in line for Bobby Hull’s autograph for 5 hours, Coach Quenneville talked about his thoughts on the season, and Tommy Hawk, the Blackhawks’ mascot, lost a tough race on the polytrack to fellow mascot Hammy.

The videos included pretty much outline the day…take a look!

PS – We are open for the season until September 27th.
PPS – Sports fans…HEADS UP! Bears Greats Ruben Brown and Jason McKie are on hand today at Arlington and Dan Hampton and Doug Buffone will be here on Saturday the 26th.

Celebrity sighting!

Guess who!

Alright I’ll give you a hint as to something he might say…

“I’m Alyssa Ali, and you’re reading my blog.”

Sound familiar?

You guessed it! Bill Kurtis was at Arlington!

Bill Kurtis, TV personality and producer, spent his morning at Arlington as a guest at our Breakfast at Arlington program. Bill, most well known as a CBS anchor and his production of A&E packages, is now doing commercials for AT&T

and is also the founder of Tall Grass Beef.

Tall Grass Beef you ask? Bill founded the all natural beef that comes from cows that aren’t fed anything but healthy food and grass with the result being a healthier better tasting beef. Arlington heard word about this and we had to try it out…so we called up Mr. Kurtis and he came by to do our cooking segment! Let’s just say everyone needs to try those hot dogs!

Bill is as nice as he looks on TV. He had a great personality and sense of humor and you could really tell he backed his product up 100%.

I’ll keep you updated on any other celebrity sightings at the track!

Wait…I feel like we’re going to have some stars joining us on Saturday…I can see it now…I see…Chicago Blackhawks legends – Bobby Hull and Denis Savard at Arlington. Hull and Savard will be on hand for an autograph signing session on Saturday September 12th for Blackhawks Legends Day.

Woot! Should be a great day, make sure you come out in your Blackhawks gear and see me.

Also, for all the sports fans out there…Sundays until the rest of the season are Pigskins and Ponies – football and horseracing…what a fantastic combo!

Until next time!

Hello again!! Long time no blog!

So, being good friends with some of the young jocks at Arlington, one of them, apprentice jockey, Mike Straight, attended a BBQ I was at this summer. While he was enjoying the food and the weather I noticed that the most frequently asked question that continuously bombarded him from people not familiar with the racetrack was “Wow, you’re a jockey? How’d you get into that?” Seriously, I heard that question at least 15 times. For that reason I decided to look into it a little closer and it looks like the majority of the reasons for jockeys and trainers to follow this particular career path was because the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. The jocks and trainers involved in racing have their families to thank for their career choice (considering these jobs are commonly overlooked by the average guidance counselor).

Jesse Campbell, a Chicago based rider, is a jockey who learned the trade from his family. His father, Michael Campbell, was a jockey for a short time but then became a trainer in 1974. Jesse’s mom is an active part of Michael’s stable and business and also owns horses. And to top it all off, Jesse’s twin brother, Joel, is also a jockey.

Earlie Fires, a legendary jockey who recently retired, is also in a family full of horseracing participants. He grew up on a farm in Arkansas where he learned to ride horses. His brother, Jinks, is a trainer and his other brother, Pedro, is a gate crew worker at Arlington.

Trainer Paul Darjean’s offspring joined the racing industry as soon as they could walk…or ride. Stacy Darjean took up a career as a hard working exercise rider and Casey Darjean is a valet (a person who attends to riders and keeps their wardrobe and equipment in order) in Arlington Park’s jock’s room.

There are so many other father son combos at the track, further proving that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, the apple might as well be still on the tree. Jockey Eusebio Razo Jr. is son of trainer Eusebio Razo Sr.; trainer Donnie K. Von Hemel is son of renowned trainer Don Von Hemel; and trainer Richard Hazelton’s son, Scott Hazelton, is an analyst and broadcaster on a cable channel dedicated to horseracing, HRTV…just to name a few.

The answer that Mike gave my friends at the BBQ was an answer that went along with my theory of apples and families BUT his family history wasn’t on the saddle until Mike’s generation. Growing up in New York, Mike, and his identical twin brother, Matt, became interested in racing after attending races at Saratoga. Their parents had no prior experience with the industry but encouraged the twins to follow their dream. Both boys attended Chris McCarron’s Riding School and graduated to become apprentice jockeys.

It is great that these families are tied together not only on Christmas but through horses! For more FAQ, check out jockey Tim Thornton’s blog.

Until next time! Please come out and visit me!

PS - It is post Million here at Arlington, but we still have racing and big events until September 27th. Thank goodness, because I will be going through withdraws! ; )

PPS - Don’t forget to click the experience tab on this site to view our latest videos.

So besides the 200 degree weather on Million Day, the day ended up being AWESOME. Take a look at my equation…

Great Horses + Hall Of Fame Jockeys + Thrilling Photo Finishes + Beer x 5 + Millionaire Drink x 2 + Hot Women – Humid Weather = A Fantastic Million Day

That pretty much sums it up.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing hall of fame and legendary jockeys, Gary Stevens (Kentucky Derby, Santa Anita Derby, multiple Belmont Stakes Winner, and actor in the movie Seabiscuit), Pat Day (winner of over 8.000 races), Run Turcotte (Triple Crown Winner aboard infamous horse Secretariat), Chris McCarron (Winner of the 1984 Million aboard John Henry), and Rocky Wirtz (owner of the Chicago Blackhawks). I obviously had a great day.

Rocky Wirtz, said he will be on hand again at Arlington for Blackhawks Legends Day on September 12th along with Denis Savard and some of the current Blackhawks team. Gary Stevens talked about what it was like filming Seabiscuit with Toby Maguire. “I taught Toby how to ride and he taught me how to act.” (If you haven’t seen Seabiscuit, you should, it’s great!)

When I asked Turcotte what it was like winning the Belmont Stakes aboard Secretariat by 31 lengths in 1973 he responded, “It’s been 36 years and I still haven’t’ found the words to describe it.” Turcotte, along with 22 other jockeys, were on hand all weekend for an event benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

What were your thoughts about the day? Did anyone win with Gio Ponti in the Million?

I’m so sad Million week is over but at least we still have another month and a half of racing.

Not only horseracing, but mascot races! On the Sunday after the Million, while most employees were drained after a long week, the marketing interns weren’t too tired to participate in an entertaining Brookfield Zoo mascot race.

Check it out.

I love interviewing animals…Silent responses make it quick and easy.

PS – Please comment on the blog and let me know if there’s anything else you want to know or read about.

Saturday August 8th, Million Day, is more exciting for me than opening presents on Christmas morning, and I like presents so that is saying something. It is the social event of the summer and the best race horses in the world will be on hand for thee grade 1 races. I’m so pumped up!! (Insert Technotronic’s Pump up the Jam tune here).

Alright, so first of all, does everybody have their outfits ready? If you were here on Million Preview day, I will expect to see a lot of the same outfits that the ladies and gentlemen sported. Check out my blog recapping Million Preview day for a video of all of the smokin’ outfits. As for myself, I will be going with a black dress, black leather pumps, and a floppy hat. Let me know what you’re wearing, and make sure to find me on Saturday!

So once the outfits are ready, the gates to the track will open at 10am and first post will be at 12:15 on Saturday. The day will be focused on the Million, Beverly D., and Secretariat but there is more stuff going on to make the party EVEN MORE fun. We will have a mystery voucher giveaway to the first 2500 guests (anywhere from $5 to $100…which could easily take care of all of your wagering expenses for the day), Dave Tamkin and Company playing their tunes live on the band stage, an equine art show, the American Airlines summer sweepstakes (your chance to win 2 tickets to anywhere in the continental US), a jockey autograph signing (2 autograph sessions with legendary and hall of fame jockeys - such as Chris McCarron, Pat Day, Gary Stevens, Julie Krone, Jerry Bailey), ANDDDD the Million drink, the Millionaire, will be for sale all day with a complimentary Million glass.

Take a look at the Millionaire drink.

I can not stress enough how cool this day is. I think it is better than Christmas so that should give you some idea… Come out on Saturday for one the biggest social (and racing) events of the summer! Let me know if you have any questions…See you Saturday!

Tuvimos un gran momento en fiesta en el parque el domingo!

Arlington Park’s 8th annual Fiesta in the Park this past Sunday was a great time! We had some sponsors out in the park area, latino performances (including a mariachi band), and latino styled cuisine and drinks! Can we say margaritas? If you missed it, check it out!

As for the rest of this blog post, I figured I should take the time to talk about Arlington Million Day on August 8th. This shouldn’t be considered a sales pitch but instead, considered great advice coming from someone who has enjoyed the excitement of Million Day 5 times.

For those who don’t know, Million Day is on August 8th and it features the running of three Grade I races – the Secretariat, the Beverly D, and the Arlington Million (Check out Brian’s Racing 411 upcoming blogs about the three races.) It is Arlington Park’s biggest day of racing – so big ESPN, HRTV, and TVG will be here to cover the day. There will be a huge crowd on hand to witness the most esteemed horses in the country competing with each other for big money.

Picture what you would see at the Kentucky Derby…picture it…picture it… are you picturing it?…yeah that’s it!…great horses, snazzy outfits, big hats, parties, and delicious food and drinks… THAT is what Million Day is like. Seriously, the ambiance and the racing is something that can’t be missed! You really have to experience it for yourself…(insert sales plug/great advice here…get tickets online now at www.arlingtonpark.com)

I remember my first Arlington Million, when I was 16 years old in 2004. Kickin Kris won the race after a disqualification of Powerscourt. The racing itself was fantastic, but what I really remembered was the atmosphere…ESPN coverage, glamorous outfits, famous connections, and the hustle and bustle of a huge crowd.

For those who don’t make it out to the Kentucky Derby or wonder what it would be like…I’d say Million Day at Arlington is quite comparable. = )

Come and find me in the paddock area when you’re here experiencing it!

PS - For all those who like to enjoy a drink from time to time, next blog post, I’ll be sure to give the inside scoop on the Million drink…the Millionaire. Yummmmmmmmm.

Hey guys do your necks hurt???…

…From turning to look at all of the fantastic looking women who joined us for Ladies Day??

Right next to horses Just As Well, Yankee Injunuity, Reb, and Pure Clan crossing the finish line first were the chic outfits that were sported on Million Preview day. The glam outfits mostly consisted of colorful summer dresses and a floppy hat to match.

I had the opportunity to be dressed by two fabulous up and coming designers, Miriam Carlson and Caroline Borucki. The first dress I wore was a short one strap dress. It was a bright frosting colored pink paired with gold heels and black belt to cinch the waist. The second dress I wore was a peach cocktail dress with a white fabric flower on one shoulder. I didn’t wear a floppy hat, but the designer’s made my outfits fashion chic!

My look, however, couldn’t compare to the looks of the Fresh FM Fashion Showcase. All models of the showcase were organized through the Susan G. Komen foundation and all 10 models were survivors of breast cancer and they looked GREAT!!! It was a pleasure to have all of the models and the connections of Susan G. Komen and Fresh FM on hand to help celebrate Ladies Day.

There was also a fashion contest held on Saturday, and the winner was named the First Lady of Fashion. The winner was an 18 year old who was sporting a My Fair Lady theme, complete with the hat, umbrella, and simple black dress and heels. She looked fabulous and was a deserved winner!

Check it out!

On Million Day, August 8th, the fashion expected to be seen will be the same… light summer dresses, floppy hats, and a hot pair of stilettos.

Thoughts about the day? Anybody have their outfits already planned for Million day?

Don’t forget to come and see me in the paddock area when you are here! A big hey to Justin who came to Arlington from D.C. and stopped by to see me!

Until next time!

Wow. We had a great 4th of July weekend at Arlington Park. Over 34,000 guests were on hand to witness great thoroughbred racing and the best fireworks display the burbs have ever seen!!

Guess who visited us?? The one and only Miss Illinois 2009 Erin O’Connor!! Miss Illinois enjoyed the festivities at Arlington alongside Miss Illinois 2009 Outstanding Teen Andrea Novak and Miss Illinois 2009 Outstanding Preteen Peyton Tucker. The girls were a pleasure to be around – they enjoyed lunch in the turf club and were the presenters for the Chicago Handicap. Best of luck to Erin in the Miss America pageant!

With these fantastic ladies on hand this past weekend, it is a great reminder that ladies day is this Saturday July 11th at Arlington! Girls, prepared to get pampered. There’s going to be FREE massages, make up touches, hair dos, champagne and wine tasting, fashion contests, vendors, hats for sale, and more. It is obviously going to be fantastic. Make sure you’re here!

If you’re not sure what to wear…I put together a little fashion segment.

- Summer dresses
- Great pumps (if your dress is plain, jazz it up with some great colored heels)
- Floppy Hats (every outfit worn at the track is complete with a great hat)
- Accessories (if the dress is plain add a chunky necklace and bracelet but if the dress has a lot of bold patterns add a simple chain necklace)
- Purse (any dress will be complimented with a great hand bag – clutches are really in this season – match the dress)

On ladies day, I’m lucky enough to be sporting different outfits designed specifically for me by some great up and coming designers!

Alright, I’ll be checking out everyone’s outfits here on Saturday and I’ll blog about the best ones! Come out and see me!

In May and earlier this month – Arlington Park was happily invaded by members of the US Marines and US Army.  During Marine Week, the US Marines were on hand with displays of weapons, Marine recruiters (they tested me on how long I could maintain a chin up lock out…let’s just say I found out I probably could not cut it as a Marine…we’re talking like 30 seconds max), military vehicles, an AMAZING air show, and performances by the Drum and Bugle Corp and the Silent Drill Team…and then on Salute the Troops day we had US Army Black Daggers parachute down to the main track.  Can you say EXCITING??? 

The air show involved US Marine aircrafts literally landing on the Arlington Park infield and releasing hundreds of Marines.  So cool!!  When the Army’s Black Daggers were here, they were dropped from the sky and then proceeded to parachute down perfectly onto the Arlington Park polytrack.  It was definitely a cool sight – if you missed it…check it out.

  Hello again to all of the great military personnel that I had the pleasure of meeting!! 

***

If that wasn’t exciting enough, guess who else was dropping in for a visit!  CBS channel 2’s meteorologist, Steve Baskerville!  Our Chicagoland favorite weather man was spotted in the box seats at Arlington spending time with his family and eating a cheeseburger while enjoying and wagering on the horses.  I had the opportunity to interview Steve in the paddock of Arlington (don’t worry I thanked him for the great weather we had over the weekend).  A native of Philadelphia, he got into broadcasting almost 30 years ago when hosting a daily children’s program.  Baskerville has been honored extensively throughout his career and has earned local Emmy Awards including the Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence in 2006. 

Because he is originally from Philadelphia, Steve said he’d be back to Arlington to try our new Philly Furlong – a 2 foot long Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich!  Steve and his family and friends were great people – I hope to see them out at Arlington again soon…maybe on July 3^rd??…

Speaking of July 3^rd (wow! What a segway…almost like I wrote it myself…) you’ve got to make sure you’re out here for our Independence Day celebration!  We’re going to have a special late post of 4 o’ clock, 2 live bands, and the best fireworks display the suburbs have ever seen at dusk.  I’ll be there all day and night so come and prepare to be awed! 

See you soon!    

Loving this Chicago weather?!

I hope everyone is staying dry and safe today with this crazy weather we’ve been having!  Some would say we’ve been having severe thunderstorms I’d say we’ve been hit by a monsoon… but tomatO tomAto.  At least at Arlington we race on the all weather surface, the polytrack, so it doesn’t change too much stuff on the card – and the jockeys and horses won’t get covered with slop!

But besides avoiding the monsoon this morning, earlier today, I was talking to our awesome racing analyst, Jessica Pacheco, about the other horses I own, a retired pony horse and a retired race horse, and we thought it would be kind of cool to let other people know about what horses can do after they retire from the racetrack…henceforth, this blog was written!

Besides the race horses I currently own with my family, my sister and I also have two horses as our pets and riding horses.  My sister’s horse, Irish Wind (we got him after Saint Patrick’s Day and it was windy…) is a retired pony horse from the track. For those who don’t know, a pony horse is the horse that brings the racehorses out on the track and to the gate before a race.  The pony horses are very well trained (I mean really well trained, most of them will just stand still without being tied up) and they keep the racehorses calm before a race – kind of like a coach silently pep talking an athlete before a big game. 

Anyway, he was getting pretty old for his job so we bought him as a riding horse.   He is quite possibly the sweetest, yet most stubborn, horse ever.  He has been part of the family for 11 years and he is now 40 years old! Forty years old is super old for a horse (the oldest horse in the world I think is 52… but that’s rare) so we don’t ride him anymore but he is our little grandpa horse that we love.

My other horse is a very early retired thoroughbred racehorse.  My dad bred him for turf racing so I was there when he was born and I was the first person to ever ride him (at that time I was the size of a jockey so it was good training for him).  When he was two and he had his first few starts, we found out that he was a bad bleeder, a condition that wouldn’t allow him to race anymore.  So my dad gave him to me to train as a riding horse so we could sell him as a show horse.  Well, long story short I fell in love with the beast and I somehow convinced my dad to let me keep him instead of making our money back and selling him (thanks dad!).  He is now 9 years old and is a great riding horse and companion.

So, when their jobs at the track are over, our retired equine friends still have a lot of years to live and make people happy.  Actually, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a cool organization that deals specifically with racehorses off the track.

I’m still waiting for some celebrities to make it out to the track…I think Kirk Hinrich is still a little bummed about the first round playoff loss to the Celtics, but I’m sure he’ll eventually make it out….! 

See you all soon!