Elmer Polzin, a former handicapper and turf writer at several Chicago newspapers, and the father of Arlington director of racing Chris Polzin, died Tuesday at 87 following a long illness.Polzin worked for the Chicago American and Chicago Today – both long defunct – before moving in 1974 to the Chicago Tribune, where he worked until retiring in 1985. Gruff and garrulous, Polzin was a revered figure in the Chicago press boxes at a time when racing still commanded serious attention in the Chicago papers. No funeral will be conducted, but a memorial service for Polzin may be scheduled in coming weeks.