ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Aug. 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The positive development of the release of the Horse Racing Equity ("HRE") Trust Fund money to the Arlington Park purse account has lead to a purse increase for the racetrack effective Friday, Aug. 12, 2011.
"We are pleased to be able to increase purses and see this as a win-win situation for both the industry and the horsemen," said Arlington Park General Manager Tony Petrillo.
The purse increase for the remainder of Arlington Park's 2011 racing season will be approximately 10 percent of the HRE Trust Fund money allocated to the racetrack for purses. All remaining HRE Trust Fund money for purses will be distributed equally into the purse programs for Arlington Park's 2012, 2013 and 2014 racing seasons.
Arlington Park set forth this plan after discussing this with various horsemen, and this plan is subject to a signed agreement with the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
Arlington Park – the Chicago area's premier Thoroughbred racetrack located in Arlington Heights, Ill. – will run an 86-day meet in 2011 from Friday, May 6 through Sunday, Sept. 25. Arlington Park, whose parent company is Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq:CHDN), also operates 12 off-track, simulcast-wagering facilities – Trackside Arlington Park (Arlington Heights), Trackside Chicago, Trackside Quad City Downs (East Moline), Trackside Waukegan, Shooters Bar & Grill at Don Carter Lanes featuring Trackside Rockford, Fat Sam's Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in Lockport, Stanley's Ale House featuring Trackside OTB in South Elgin, Nicolino's featuring Trackside OTB in McHenry, TADS Sports Bar & Grill featuring Trackside OTB in South Beloit, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Hodgkins, Salerno-Pincente Ristorante featuring Trackside OTB in Villa Park and Sundance Saloon featuring Trackside OTB in Waukegan. Information on Arlington Park can be found online at www.arlingtonpark.com.