Back to old times
Its 2003 dates request approved Tuesday by the Illinois Racing Board, Arlington Park announced the stakes schedule for its upcoming season. Arlington had moved its meet forward on the calendar the last two years in order to host the 2002 Breeders' Cup, but now returns to its more traditional dates, from May through September. The reversion means a revamping of the stakes schedule, which had been tailored to fit a June-through-October season.
Affected by the dates switch is the Washington Park Handicap, which was used as a Breeders' Cup Classic prep last year. This season, the $400,000 Washington Park will be held July 19. Also moving from fall to early summer is the Sea O' Erin Breeders' Cup Mile.
In all, Arlington will have 29 stakes worth $5,575,000 in purses. There is one new stakes, the $75,000 Real Delight on May 31. Arlington Million Day this year is Aug. 16. It includes the Million, the $700,000 Beverly D., and the $400,000 Secretariat.
Arlington will continue featuring multi-stakes days like Million Preview Day July 26 and the Illinois-bred Prairie State Festival on June 21.
Arlington's 104-day 2003 season runs from May 9 to Sept. 27.
2003 Arlington Park stakes schedule
| DATE | EVENT | CONDITIONS | DISTANCE | PURSE |
| Sat., May 10 | Black Tie Affair Handicap | 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 Miles | $100,00 |
| Sat., May 31 | Real Delight Stakes | 3YO F | 6 Furlongs | 75,000 |
| Sat., June 14 | Chicago BC Hcp. | (G3)F&M 3YO & Up | 7 Furlongs | 175,000 |
| Sun., June 15 | Sea O'Erin BC Mile | 3YO & Up | 1 Mile (T) | 150,000 |
| Sat., June 21 | Purple Violet Stakes | 3YO F* | 1 Mile | 75,000 |
| Springfield Stakes | 3YO* | 1 Mile | 75,000 | |
| Isaac Murphy Handicap | F&M 3YO & Up* | 6 Furlongs | 75,000 | |
| White Oak Handicap | 3YO & Up* | 6 Furlongs | 75,000 | |
| Lincoln Heritage Handicap | F&M 3YO & Up* | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 75,000 | |
| Cardinal Handicap | 3YO & Up* | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 75,000 | |
| Sat., June 28 | Arlington Classic (G2) | 3YO | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 175,000 |
| Sun., June 29 | Hanshin Cup (G3) | 3YO & Up | 1 Mile | 100,000 |
| Sat., July 5 | Stars & Stripes BC Turf (G3) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/2 Miles | 200,000 |
| Sat., July 19 | Washington Park Hcp. (G2) | 3YO & Up | 1 3/16 Miles | 400,000 |
| Sun., July 20 | American Derby (G2) | 3YO | 1 3/16 Miles (T) | 250,000 |
| Sat., July 26 | Arlington Handicap (G3) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | 250,000 |
| Modesty Handicap (G3) | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 3/16 Miles (T) | 150,000 | |
| Round Table Stakes | 3YO | 1 1/8 Miles | 100,000 | |
| Sat., Aug. 9 | Singapore Plate (G3) | 3YO F | 1 1/8 Miles | 100,000 |
| Fri., Aug. 15 | Estrapade Handicap | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 1/16 Miles (T) | 75,000 |
| Sat., Aug. 16 | Secretariat Stakes (G1) | 3YO | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | 400,000 |
| Beverly D. (G1) | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 3/16 Miles (T) | 700,000 | |
| Arlington Million (G1) | 3YO & Up | 1 1/4 Miles (T) | 1,000,000 | |
| Sat., Aug. 23 | Arlington Sprint | 3YO & Up | 6 Furlongs | 100,000 |
| Sun., Aug. 24 | Windy City Dash (G3) | 3YO & Up [AQHA] | 400 Yards | 50,000 |
| Mon., Sept. 1 | Arlington Matron Hcp. (G3) | F&M 3YO & Up | 1 1/8 Miles | 150,000 |
| Sat., Sept. 13 | Pucker Up Stakes (G3) | 3YO F | 1 1/8 Miles (T) | 175,000 |
| Sat., Sept. 27 | Arl-Wash Lassie (G3) | 2YO F | 1 Mile | 100,000 |
| Sat., Sept. 27 | Arl-Wash Futurity (G3) | 2YO | 1 Mile | 150,000 |
*Restricted to Illinois-breds