Arlington Park displays creative silks in Kids Cup winner's circle

Three young racing fans saw their designs become a reality when jockeys at Arlington International Racecourse finished 1-2-3 in Sunday’s eighth race wearing silks featuring the kids’ artwork.

All season long young visitors to the Junior Jockey Zone at Arlington have been given a chance to design silks to be worn in a race by coloring in blank templates. Three final designs were chosen for the ‘Kids’ Cup’ as called by track announcer John G. Dooley, with participant Caroline’s colorful rose-covered silks making it to the winner’s circle worn by Edgar Perez aboard Arlington Chairman Richard L. Duchossois’ Nifty Nellie for trainer Mike Stidham. Araceli Barraza’s Road to Zanzibar finished second just in front of Dare To Dream Stable’s She’s Fine Tuned, whose jockeys Olaf Hernandez and Mitchell Murrill both wore the special silks for the race.

 

Each of the winning designs was recreated into two sets of silks, one for the child designers and one for their jockey. Families of the winners were invited to the track on the final Family Day Sunday for Arli Goes Back to School, where each child was presented with their silks before the race, gave the call for ‘Riders up’ and given the opportunity to be photographed with the jockey wearing their design.

 

Starting on Sept. 8 the remaining three Friday cards at Arlington International Racecourse will begin with a first post time of 2:15 pm. First post will remain at 1:25 pm for Thursdays and Saturdays.

 

The 71-day meet will conclude on Sept. 23.