Contact: David Zenner
Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com

Horsemen's Health Fair at Arlington Park, June 5 & 6, 2006

EXPORT Center for Excellence in Rural Health To Gather Important Health Information

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (June 6, 2006) -- Sponsored and organized by the EXPORT Center for Excellence in Rural Health from University of Illinois-Rockford, Arlington Park will host a two-day Horsemen's Health Fair on Monday, June 5 and Tuesday, June 6 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day in the backstretch area of the track. All licensed horsemen are eligible to participate in the health fair, and “backstretch" workers are specifically being targeted.

The Horsemen’s Health Fair is Phase I of a two-year pilot grant for the research project entitled, Determining Health Status and Health Disparities of an Embedded Rural Population being conducted by Karin J. Opacich, Project EXPORT Director and Assistant Director of the National Center for Rural Health Professions. There will be numerous screening stations including: body measurements, vital signs, glucose/cholesterol, peak flow, TB, and agricultural safety; and the event will yield important health status data.

Phase II will entail interviews and surveys of the backstretch population to gain a better understanding of health literacy, health behaviors, and health needs.

The mission of Project EXPORT is to identify, reduce, and eliminate health disparities in rural and underserved populations through research, education, and community service.

Project EXPORT has five goals:

1. Conduct research on conditions and diseases reflecting disparities in health and health care among rural and underserved populations
2. Cultivate the capacity of rural, community-based groups to identify and solve their own health-related problems
3. Develop and support a health care workforce to meet rural health needs
4. Offer educational and training opportunities in rural health professions and research careers to rural and other underserved people
5. Provide reliable and relevant information and educational material to health professions faculty and students, health care practitioners, policy makers, and others reflecting the extent and impact of disparities in health and health care on rural communities

* EXPORT is an acronym for excellence in community outreach, research, and training.

Arlington Park -- the Chicago area's premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. -- will run a 95-day meet in 2006 from Friday, May 5 through Tuesday, Sept. 12. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates eight off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities: Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Chicago, Trackside McHenry, Trackside Rockford, Trackside South Beloit, Trackside Waukegan and Lucky's featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.