Arlington Park news release
Contact: David Zenner
Dzenner@arlingtonpark.com
Karen Paulsen Award to Molaro and Stumpf
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (June 24, 2011) – Bob Molaro and Jim Stumpf will be honored as co-recipients of the first Karen Paulsen Award at Arlington Park on Saturday, June 25.
The Paulsen Award is presented by Galloping Out, the equine welfare branch of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, and honors individuals who have shown “extraordinary diligence and effort” in improving the lot of retired Chicago-based Thoroughbreds.
Both Molaro, a longtime Illinois State legislator, and Stumpf, Arlington’s vice president of legislative affairs and OTB development, were responsible for securing the passage of a 2007 state law that banned horse slaughter in Illinois.
Stumpf and Molaro also insisted on provisions for equine welfare and retirement in pending casino legislation.
Molaro, who is now affiliated with assorted advocacy entities in Springfield and Chicago, served in the Illinois State Senate from 1993-2003, and the State House from 2003-2009.
Stumpf has been a member of Arlington’s management team since 1992 when he joined the staff of Chairman Duchossois as vice president of off-track operations.
The inaugural Paulsen Awards will be presented on Saturday after the third race on Prairie State Festival Day at Arlington.
A reception will be held in the paddock following the conclusion of racing which will include cocktails, appetizers, and the opportunity for fans and supporters to mingle with owners, trainers, jockeys, and others who make the Chicago version of the Sport of Kings so compelling.
Tickets are $25.00 and include two drinks and hors d’oeuvres. They are available at the ITHA’s Arlington Park office (847 577-6464) and will also be available Saturday in the track’s grandstand.
The award is named for Karen Paulsen, a pioneer in the implementation and management of post-racing equine welfare here in Chicago. A sister of trainer Donna Dupuy, Ms. Paulsen passed away last year.
Karen’s vision for the life-long well-being of race horses cannot be overstated. She was far ahead of her time in the way she transitioned horses from racing into safe, appropriate retirements.
Arlington Park – the Chicago area’s premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run an 86-day meet in 2011 from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, Sept. 25. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates 11 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities: Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Chicago, Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Waukegan, Shooters Bar & Grill at Don Carter Lanes featuring Trackside Rockford, Fat Sam’s Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in Lockport, Silk and Sulkies featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino’s featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, Tad’s Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins and Sundance Saloon featuring Trackside OTB in Waukegan. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.
