Trackside Waukegan to Celebrate 20th Anniversary Dec. 20

Trackside Waukegan, one of Illinois’ oldest continuously operating off-track wagering facilities which opened on December 26, 1988, commemorates its 20^th anniversary with a day-long “Celebrate Waukegan’s 20^th on the 20th” event on Saturday, December 20.[asset|height=12|width=1]

The first 200 customers to check-in that day will receive an Arlington Cash Card worth at least $2 and those registering for a Twin Spires Club wagering account as well as existing TSC account holders who wager that day will be entered in a drawing for credits to their account with the grand prize winner to receive a $100 credit, the second-place winner to receive a $50 credit and two third-place winners to each receive a $25 credit.

In addition, concession stands will be offering 20-cent hot dogs, 20-cent pop and 20-cent bags of potato chips from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. and again from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m as well as $1 hot dogs the rest of the day and evening. There will also be $1.50 draft beer available all day. Daily Herald and horseplayerpro.com handicapper Joe Kristufek will be on hand from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at various locations throughout the facility to help fans hone their handicapping skills. Also, the Miller Girls will make an appearance from Noon until 2 p.m. and there will a chance to win prizes from the Illinois State Lottery until 2 p.m.

A luncheon buffet consisting of chef carved inside round, pork tenderloin, green beans almandine, salad, vegetable crudités and anniversary cake will be available for $11.95. Reservations for the buffet can be made by calling Trackside Waukegan at 847-336-1400.

The special occasion will be commemorated with a cake-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. to feature remarks by Waukegan Mayor Richard Hyde as well as by Arlington Park Chairman Emeritus Richard L. Duchossois and Arlington Park President Roy Arnold. Other county, state and local officials have been invited to attend. At the conclusion of the ceremony six Trackside Waukegan employees --- Geri Leone and Sharon Reinhofer of Zion, Barb Cawley of McHenry, Cathy Jaworski of Gurnee and Alvin Evans and Jackie Gibson of Waukegan --- will be honored for 20 years of service at the facility.

Since opening in December 1988, wagers at Trackside Waukegan have generated more than $40 million in total local and state tax revenue including more than $22 million to the State of Illinois and nearly $9 million each to Lake County and the City of Waukegan. In addition, contributions of more than $50 million have been made to the state’s agri-business through distribution of purse money to Illinois horsemen.

Trackside Waukegan, located at 630 S. Green Bay Road, offers a casual, comfortable setting to wager on horse racing from around the world on more than 250 television monitors. Customers have a choice of watching and betting on races from the comfort of Trackside Waukegan’s full-service Finish Line Restaurant and Lounge, Grandstand area, Grandstand Bar, Teletheater or the Backstretch Deli.