Courtyard Arlington Heights South

Dunton Park

by kaloz

A lot of care is given to painting a beautiful picture for visitors. This is a small park with benches for you to relax and maybe have some lunch. There is drinking water, and trash cans to keep it nice. Enjoy a peaceful setting with the founder of the city. Discovering these little plazas while on foot. Get out of your car, and enjoy the day.

Holidays at Arlington

by deecat

Click on photo

This year, we went to Arlington Internation Race Track on Memorial Day. It's fun to go there on holidays because the organization always provides special activities and promotions.

I also like holidays that are patriotic. On Memorial Day, they had a special time period of silence for all those in the Services. The flags were out in full force and looked dramatic. When the "Star Spangled Banner" was sung, you could have heard a pin drop in this vast structure and outdoor facility.

One of the promotions they had this day was to give Spiral Club Memembers (which we are, and it's free) a Beanie Baby Horse named "Marshall".

That was perfect for us because we are about to become grandparents so the horse goes to our grandchild!

On this Memorial Day, they had special activities for the children in the Park Area. There were lots of families at Arlington that day.

Holidays are awesome at Arlington

A walk in the woods

by kaloz

Visit the Forest Preserve. This picture was taken in Schaumburg (next to Arlington Heights) A relaxing place and good for viewing the fall colours. There are bike trails and walking paths. Just beware of the goose droppings

Breeder's Cup 2002 -- Arlington Park

by kaloz

"Welcome to Arlington Park"

Arlington was destroyed by fire, and has been rebuilt and reopened with the help of new ownership, Churchill Downs. It is a wonderful horsepark and this is the first hosting of the Breeder's Cup, the World Championship of Thoroughbred racing. The BC is held at the end of the racing season and has 8 grade 1 stakes races.

"Daily Racing Form"

You can't pick the winners without a program. There is an official program for the track, but most horseplayers prefer the form. (drf.com) It contains all the information you need to select your horses.

"Post Parade"

Before each race the horses enter the course and parade for the fans. These are the entrants for the Filly and Mare Turf Race. The jockeys wear silks that show the colors of the horses stables, and it makes it easier to follow the race in progress.

"Party Atmosphere"

The Breeder's Cup is a celebration and in addition to the horses, you might find bands playing, and many of the spectators dress up, and smoke cigars. The whole event is fun, fun, fun.

"BC Distaff"

There are eight grade one stakes races begining with the distaff. We had seats on the quarter pole (quarter mile to the finish) so we got a good view as the horses leave the back stretch and make the turn for home. Azeri leads the pack, and won the race.

"Enjoy the day with friends"

Greg and Terri invited me to the races. We were friends before my move to Alaska, and we used to enjoy many a day at the track. My parents also came as my dad likes the horses. I got to see mom for the first time in two years.

"BC Mile"

This is billed as the World Championship of Thoroughbred Racing. Many foreign horses make the trip to run on the grass or "Turf". The heavy favorite Rock of Gibraltar from Ireland had a bad start and Domedriver, another Irish horse won this race at a nice price.

"See you next year"

Tickets are not easy to get, and we were fortunate to be able to go to this special day of racing. Any day at the track is fun, so go to your local track and start handicapping now, so when your chance comes you can pick your winners and cash some tickets.