ARLINGTON PARK
| Arlington Park news release
Warning: include() [function.include]: URL file-access is disabled in the server configuration in /hsphere/local/home/jrstark3/barntowire.com/APrelease030927.html on line 23 Warning: include(http://www.barntowire.com/dleary.html) [function.include]: failed to open stream: no suitable wrapper could be found in /hsphere/local/home/jrstark3/barntowire.com/APrelease030927.html on line 23 Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'http://www.barntowire.com/dleary.html' for inclusion (include_path='.:/hsphere/shared/apache/libexec/php5ext/php/') in /hsphere/local/home/jrstark3/barntowire.com/APrelease030927.html on line 23 ARLINGTON CONCLUDES 2003 MEET WITH 12.7% INCREASE IN AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (Sept. 27, 2003) -- The 104-day 2003 Arlington Park race meet, run from Friday, May 9 through Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, concluded with a 12.7-percent increase in average daily attendance compared to the 2002 meet of 106 days not including the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championship attendance of 46,118 on Oct. 26, 2002. This year, total attendance was 737,369 versus 666,834 in 2002 (not including the Breeders' Cup), an increase of 70,535 overall. Average daily attendance for the 104-day season rose to 7,090 compared to 6,291 last year (not including the Breeders' Cup). "Everyone at Arlington Park is grateful for the support of our fans, horsemen and employees during this very successful 2003 race meet," said Arlington Park President Cliff Goodrich. "Our foremost effort is devoted to growing this great sport of Thoroughbred racing and our substantial increase in attendance was clearly driven by people relatively new to the sport," added Goodrich. "These new fans, combined with our loyal core customers, will provide the impetus for an even more exciting 2004 season." Overall attendance in 2002, including the 46,118 fans who attended the Breeders' Cup at Arlington Park, was 712,952 for an average daily total of 6,663. A complete meet ending release including wagering information will be available on Monday, September 29, 2003. Following is a comparison of 2003 and 2002 attendance at Arlington Park: 2003 total attendance (104 days): 737, 369 2003 avg. daily attn. % increase vs. 2002 (106 days, no BC day) +12.7% Arlington Park -- host to the record-breaking 2002 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships and the Chicago area's premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. -- completed its 104-day meet in 2003 on Saturday, Sept. 27. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN), also operates seven off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities: Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Chicago, Trackside McHenry, Trackside Rockford, Trackside Waukegan and Longshots featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com. - END - |