Horses, hats, races: Last day at Arlington International Racecourse

Arlington International Racecourse officials announced a “complete” closure of the track on the final day of the race on September 25, 2021. Industry members say the closure is the end of a long and slow decline in trucks that employed more than 1,000 workers. Many of the workers are part-time and seasonal workers, while others work full-time for horse owners. They usually move to other tracks at the end of the season, but if Arlington is closed after nearly a century of racing, many don’t know what to do next spring. Tribune photojournalist Chris Sweda has recorded that it could be the last race day at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday.

Mkar the Fast will be guided by jockey Rocco Bowen on Race 7 of the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse on September 25, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The trumpet player will perform at the Arlington International Racecourse on September 25, 2021.

The trumpet player will perform at the Arlington International Racecourse on September 25, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

A group of women are laughing while relaxing at the Arlington International Racecourse.

A group of women are laughing while relaxing at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

On the day of the final race at Arlington International Racecourse, you can see the stuffed animal's head leaning against a chair while people enjoy the scene.

On the day of the final race at Arlington International Racecourse, you can see the stuffed animal’s head leaning against a chair while people enjoy the scene. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Nancy Reagan receives a hug for horse racing fans to honor Reagan for his 32 years of customer service at Arlington International Racecourse.

Nancy Reagan receives a hug for horse racing fans to honor Reagan for his 32 years of customer service at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Racehorses will probably approach the finish line on the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Racehorses will probably approach the finish line on the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Two horse racing fans take a selfie at Arlington International Racecourse.

Two horse racing fans take a selfie at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

While waiting for the next race at the Arlington International Racecourse, one is wearing a shirt decorated with racehorses.

While waiting for the next race at the Arlington International Racecourse, one is wearing a shirt decorated with racehorses. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

As you walk the track on the day of the last race at the Arlington International Racecourse, you will see a saddle cross with the Arlington International Racecourse logo on the horse.

As you walk the track on the day of the last race at the Arlington International Racecourse, you will see a saddle cross with the Arlington International Racecourse logo on the horse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Catherine Koykendal of Chicago sees a daily program at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Catherine Koykendal of Chicago sees a daily program at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Leila Maia, 6, of Schomberg, will reach out to Reed Pony's ace, perhaps on the last race day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Leila Maia, 6, of Schomberg, will reach out to Reed Pony’s ace, perhaps on the last race day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Sarah Remke relaxes with her friends at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Sarah Remke relaxes with her friends at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

A person wearing a shirt decorated with racehorses finds a seat at the Arlington International Racecourse.

A person wearing a shirt decorated with racehorses finds a seat at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Ken Crow and Jim Modris on the left are hanging out in horse shirts at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Ken Crow and Jim Modris on the left are hanging out in horse shirts at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Someone is watching the daily program at Arlington International Racecourse.

Someone is watching the daily program at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Gurney's Justin Adushi celebrates with the hope that it could be the last race at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Gurney’s Justin Adushi celebrates with the hope that it could be the last race at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Greg Barrett of Springfield is getting help from his 19-month-old granddaughter Piper while betting on the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Greg Barrett of Springfield is getting help from his 19-month-old granddaughter Piper while betting on the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Itasca's Adrianne Paulakidas reacts as the horse approaches the finish line on the final race day at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Itasca’s Adrianne Paulakidas reacts as the horse approaches the finish line on the final race day at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

People see racehorse statues at the Arlington International Racecourse.

People see racehorse statues at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Jockey Konstantino Roman celebrates after leading Sister Ruler to victory in the final race of the day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Jockey Konstantino Roman celebrates after leading Sister Ruler to victory in the final race of the day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Itasca's Adrianne Paulakidas will probably celebrate the final race day at the Arlington International Racecourse after the race.

Itasca’s Adrianne Paulakidas will probably celebrate the final race day at the Arlington International Racecourse after the race. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Racehorses head to the start gate at a relaxed pace before the final race of the day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Racehorses head to the start gate at a relaxed pace before the final race of the day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Paola Gomez on the left and Jonathan Wyatt of Chicago are watching from the stand on the day of perhaps the last race on the Arlington International Racecourse.

Paola Gomez on the left and Jonathan Wyatt of Chicago are watching from the stand on the day of perhaps the last race on the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Jacks Murphy Evgen, 8, of Oak Brook, wears a bow tie featuring racehorses at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Jacks Murphy Evgen, 8, of Oak Brook, wears a bow tie featuring racehorses at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Jockey Konstantino Roman celebrates on the Sister Ruler after winning the final race of the day at Arlington International Racecourse on September 25, 2021.

Jockey Konstantino Roman celebrates on the Sister Ruler after winning the final race of the day at Arlington International Racecourse on September 25, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Gurney's Justin Adouch celebrates the horses of the final race of the day approaching the finish line of the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Gurney’s Justin Adouch celebrates the horses of the final race of the day approaching the finish line of the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Horses run on the grass in one of the last races of the day at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Horses run on the grass in one of the last races of the day at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Weathercock features racehorses at the Arlington International Racecourse.

Weathercock features racehorses at the Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

People react after one of the final races at Arlington International Racecourse is over.

People react after one of the final races at Arlington International Racecourse is over. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Racehorses will probably cross the finish line on the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse.

Racehorses will probably cross the finish line on the final race day at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The pink horses on display feature the names of racehorses that people like at the Arlington International Racecourse. Anna La Fronta, who works at a kiosk in Arlington, decides to bring her horse to the fans on the final day of the race. She got a toy horse from her niece.

The pink horses on display feature the names of racehorses that people like at the Arlington International Racecourse. Anna La Fronta, who works at a kiosk in Arlington, decides to bring her horse to the fans on the final day of the race. She got a toy horse from her niece. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Against the backdrop of the paddock, children run on the grass at Arlington International Racecourse.

Against the backdrop of the paddock, children run on the grass at Arlington International Racecourse. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Palatine's Celsonunes, dressed in the Chicago Bears, looks through the gates of the Arlington International Racecourse while looking for a place to see the fireworks after the race day of September 25, 2021.

Palatine’s Celsonunes, dressed in the Chicago Bears, looks through the gates of the Arlington International Racecourse while looking for a place to see the fireworks after the race day of September 25, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

After the race ends on September 25, 2021, a person takes a picture of the Arlington International Racecourse building.

After the race ends on September 25, 2021, a person takes a picture of the Arlington International Racecourse building. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Perhaps the sunset will set at Arlington International Racecourse on the last race day of the track on September 25, 2021.

Perhaps the sunset will set at Arlington International Racecourse on the last race day of the track on September 25, 2021. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Horses, hats, races: Last day at Arlington International Racecourse

Source link Horses, hats, races: Last day at Arlington International Racecourse

The post Horses, hats, races: Last day at Arlington International Racecourse appeared first on Illinois News Today.

Author: at
Tags

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)