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Arlington Park Makes Racing "All in the Family"

12 May 2010

A number of years ago Las Vegas tried unsuccessfully to position itself as a family vacation destination. The ill-fated venture proved that combining casino gambling with family fun is like mixing oil and water. Pretty soon it was back to "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas".

There is one place, however, where the presence of gambling within an entertainment environment does not deter children from having just as good a time as mom and dad. That place just happens to be Arlington Park, which opens its 2010 thoroughbred horse racing season next Thursday.

At Arlington, families are encouraged to enjoy a day at the races together. Children 17 and under are always admitted free. And while the adults may concentrate on picking a winner, there is much more to the track than "betting on the ponies".

Horse racing is first and foremost a sport. The spectacle of highly conditioned human and equine athletes combining their skills in the arena of athletic competition is a sight to behold.

Arlington also just happens to be one of the most beautiful horse racing tracks in the world. It's a getaway that's not far away, where spending an afternoon can be as simple as watching the races from a seat in the grandstands while the kids run back and forth from the paddock to the winner's circle.

The track even has what it calls Family Days, which will be held every Sunday starting May 24 through Sept. 6. This season's themes include partnerships with Chicago-area professional sports teams, including the Chicago Fire and the Schaumburg Flyers, as well as commercial attractions such as Brookfield Zoo, Legoland, DuPage Children's Museum and 101.9 "The Mix" family friendly concerts.

Select Sundays starting June 6 will also be days when children 12 and under can sign up and participate in Arlington's free Junior Jockey Club, which educates and entertains kids about the sport of horse racing through hands-on activities, behind-the-scenes tours, and giveaways.

This season's Junior Jockey Club themes are Meet the Jockey Colony (June 6), Staring Gate Tour (June 27), Backstretch Tour (July 18), Equine Health Day – Meet the Veterinarian & Blacksmith (Aug. 15), and Paddock Tour (Sept. 5).

For additional information and dates for Family Day and the Junior Jockey Club, pleased visit www.arlingtonpark.com and click the online calendar.

Regular visits to Arlington throughout the summer are made economically feasible (and affordable) through the Arlington Racing Club, which offers a season-long family package for $169.99, which includes two season passes, preferred parking, guest passes available for one-time use only, additional special offers, access to "member only" reserved seating areas, and invitations to special events.

"While a day at Arlington has always offered one of the best values on the Chicago sports landscape, these season membership packages offer our most frequent visitors additional value as well as special opportunities not otherwise offered," said Arlington President Roy Arnold.

Casinos and horse racing are distant relatives through gambling. The two attractions have even become "kissin' cousins" via the racino concept popularized in many parts of the country, where casino style gambling and horse racing co-exist under one roof.

With few exceptions, including some dining options and shows, casino entertainment is primarily an adult activity. Horse racing, on the other hand, can be appealing to all ages.

Unlike Las Vegas, Arlington Park's gamble on marketing the sport for families to enjoy together is a winning bet.

John G. Brokopp

John G. Brokopp's gaming column appears in Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, Illinois), The Times (Northwest Indiana), The Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), The Courier News (Elgin, Illinois), The Gazette (Southwest Suburban Chicago) and Senior Wire (Denver, CO). He's also a regular contributor to The Colorado Gambler, Midwest Gaming & Travel, Casino Player and Strictly Slots. John possesses 28 years of experience as a professional handicapper, publicist, freelance writer, and casino gaming correspondent. He is also the author of two very popular books, The Insider’s Guide to Internet Gambling and Thrifty Gambling.

Books by John G. Brokopp:

> More Books By John G. Brokopp

John G. Brokopp
John G. Brokopp's gaming column appears in Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, Illinois), The Times (Northwest Indiana), The Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), The Courier News (Elgin, Illinois), The Gazette (Southwest Suburban Chicago) and Senior Wire (Denver, CO). He's also a regular contributor to The Colorado Gambler, Midwest Gaming & Travel, Casino Player and Strictly Slots. John possesses 28 years of experience as a professional handicapper, publicist, freelance writer, and casino gaming correspondent. He is also the author of two very popular books, The Insider’s Guide to Internet Gambling and Thrifty Gambling.

Books by John G. Brokopp:

> More Books By John G. Brokopp