Letter to Horsemen

June 12, 2010

Dear Horsemen of Arlington Park:

As we are sure you are aware, for a myriad of reasons, wagering on our racing program has fallen short of expectations. Since purse money is generated from the wagering on our product, an adjustment in the purse program has become necessary and we have chosen to reduce the stakes program in order to retain current overnight purse levels.

These adjustments were agreed upon by Arlington and the Illinois Thoroughbred Horseman's Association's Board of Directors and amount to a $725,000 reduction from the stakes program in order to preserve the overnight program.

Eleven stakes races had their purses reduced by amounts ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 and one stakes race - the $100,000 Sea o Erin - has been put on hiatus for 2010. All graded stakes purse levels remain sufficient to retain graded stakes status.

Unaffected by the cuts are the six Illinois-bred stakes races that comprise the June 19 Prairie State Festival and the three Grade I races that make up the International Festival of Racing on Aug. 21 - the Arlington Million, the Beverly D. and the Secretariat Stakes.

We are hopeful that the worst is behind us and with the help of horsemen stabled at Arlington that things will improve as the season progresses. Field size of course is the biggest driver of handle - both on-track and off-track - so it is important for all of us to do everything possible to keep our fields intact once races are drawn so we do not have to cancel popular wagers such as the Trifecta and Superfecta. The fans have a choice on which tracks they wager on-they are clearly telling us that short fields and significant numbers of scratches are not something they want to wager on. Horsemen have made suggestions on how we can improve the program and we are going to implement changes that we all hope can make a difference.

As such, effective with the start of Condition Book 4 on June 24, all unplaced starters (sixth on down) in races affected by a surface change from Turf to Polytrack will receive a $200 incentive which should cover the cost of the administration of Lasix and the jockey mount fee. These funds will be paid from the purse account over and above the listed purse of the race. We are also adopting some changes to race conditions that should provide greater opportunity for horsemen to enter and productively contribute to the racing program.

Sincerely,

Roy A. Arnold, President, Arlington Park
Mike Campbell, President, ITHA
Christian A. Polzin, Director of Racing, Arlington Park