Breeders Cup big hit in Chicago

THE Breeders’ Cup has hit town for the first time and Chicago intends to put itself on the map as one of the top hosts of an event the Americans call the ‘Super Bowl of racing’.

In stark contrast to New York, where the Breeders’ Cup is a non event to most of its citizens, Chicago has taken it by the throat and sees it as an opportunity to show just what Midwest hospitality can add to the World Thoroughbred Championships.

By Saturday most of Chicago’s eight million residents will know what’s happening at their local track, Arlington Park, razed by fire 15 years ago and rebuilt from the ashes to become one of America’s premier racetracks. You get the distinct impression that with its state of the art facilities, a turf course that is arguably one of the world’s best, Arlington Park, will do the Breeders’ Cup justice or die in the attempt.