Horses, hats and races: One final day at Arlington International Racecourse
Arlington International Racecourse officials announced the track’s “permanent” closure on its last day of racing Sept. 25, 2021. Industry members say the closure is the end of a long, slow decline at the track, which used to employ more than 1,000 workers. Many of the workers are part time and seasonal, and others work full time for horse owners. While they normally transition to other tracks at the end of the season, many don’t know what they will do next spring if Arlington is closed after nearly a century of racing. Tribune photojournalist Chris Sweda documented what could possibly be the final race day ever at Arlington International Racecourse on Saturday.
chicagotribune.comArlington International begins what likely is its last season amid regrets and anger over planned closing of iconic horse track. Future of site unclear.
Arlington Park opened what may be its last season Friday, after owner Churchill Downs said it was shutting down the iconic horse racing track because it wouldn't make as much money as casinos.
chicagotribune.com8/28: Obama on ISIS: "We don't have a strategy yet"; Track announcer retires after calling four decades of races
8/28: Obama on ISIS: "We don't have a strategy yet"; Track announcer retires after calling four decades of races President Obama said a decision on air strikes in Syria is days if not weeks away. He questioned whether they would be effective against ISIS without the help of neighboring Middle Eastern countries; and, 63-year-old Tom Durkin has been calling races since 1974. He shares some of his most memorable moments at the track.
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