Arlington Park

Contact: David Zenner
Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com

VELAZQUEZ, MCGAUGHEY TEAM SCORE AGAIN IN HANSHIN

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (May 23, 2009) – The jockey-trainer-owner trio of John Velazquez and “Shug” McGaughey posted their second Arlington Park stakes victory of the afternoon when they combined for a 2 ¼-length tally with Vacation in the Grade III $100,000 Hanshin Cup approximately one hour after scoring with Consequence in the $200,000 American 1000 Guineas Stakes. Vacation, a son of Dynaformer, covered the mile over Polytrack in 1:36.56.

The Hanshin was the first stakes score for Vacation and his third victory in 19 starts overall. He picked up $58,200 to elevated his earnings to $227,663 for his owner-breeder.

Grade I stakes winner Dominican was second in the eight-horse field, 1 ¾ lengths clear of Cherokee Artist. Amazing Results, Stonehouse, Voy Por Uno Mas, 2007 Hanshin winner Spotsgone and defending champion Coragil Cat completed the order of finish.

Vacation paid $9.20, $6.20 and $4. Dominican returned $5.80 and $3.60. Cherokee Artist paid $3.20.

Quotes:

John Velazquez – 1st on Vacation – “He broke really well, so I wanted to get position and keep him closer than normal. Then when I was ready to go I asked him and he responded."

Miguel Mena – 2nd on Dominican – “I ran into traffic turning for home. It made me check pretty good. I was on the best horse; I should have won the race. I didn't have the best trip."

Jeremy Rose - 3rd on Cherokee Artist - "I had a nice trip, just emptied out a little bit."

Diego Sanchez – On beaten favorite Coragil Cat – “I don’t know what happened. He just didn’t fire today.”

Jennifer Patterson – Assistant Trainer of winner Vacation - “John had him in a perfect position, when he asked him Vacation gave it to him. He ran a great race, and John did a great job.”

Arlington Park – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run a 98-day meet in 2009 from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, Sept. 27. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 10 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities: Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Chicago, Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Rockford, Trackside Waukegan, Fat Sam’s Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in Lockport, Lucky’s featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino’s featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, Tad’s Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit and Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.