Arlington Million remains a special tradition for many

By Karie Angell luc For Chronicle Media — August 13, 2016

The scoreboard is the focus as Jockey Daniel Tudhope crosses the finish line as the first place finisher of the Arlington Million with his horse Mondialiste at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

Jockey Daniel A. Tudhope was the Arlington Million first place finisher in Arlington Heights at Arlington International racecourse on Aug. 13. He rode Mondialiste, not touted as a favorite.

How was the race?

Jockey Daniel Tudhope celebrates his Arlington Million win shortly after riding Mondialiste at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

“Perfect,” said Tudhope, shortly after his win.

On a blue-sky day at 83 degrees with an estimated 30,000 spectators, Tudhope’s victory wasn’t immediate. Officials hesitated before declaring Mondialiste and Tudhope as winners.

Capt. James Lovell of Lake Forest, renowned for his Apollo 13 astronaut historic mission, which inspired a Tom Hanks movie, helped to present the trophy. Also with honorary presentation duties was Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville of Hinsdale.

“It was very nice I was included,”

Jockey Daniel A. Tudhope reigns in a skittish Mondialiste who was briefly spooked trackside shortly after their Arlington Million win at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

Lovell said.

“It’s very much an honor for me to be here and it’s a good artifact for the City of Chicago.”

The 34th Arlington Million race at Arlington Park is considered a tradition by many.

“It’s just enlightening and it’s so great to have so many people here who have come from all over the world,” said Dick Duchossois of Barrington Hills and Arlington Park founder.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope tries to accept the winning laurels but is trying to calm his horse, Mondialiste, is skittish shortly after their Arlington Million win at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

“We’re really flattered that they come here.”

The day included a parade of ladies’ hats in many sizes, colors and shapes. Men wore dapper hats too.

From left, Jockey Daniel Tudhope poses with (second from left) Dick Duchossois, Arlington Park owner of Barrington Hills and Capt. James Lovell (far right) of Lake Forest after Tudhope’s Arlington Million win at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

“It’s like a piece of art for your head,” said Suzy Buckley Woodward of Miami, Florida who sold custom hats on a table in the grandstand.

Dick Duchossois, Arlington Park owner of Barrington Hills (center) awaits the Arlington Million at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. On his left is Michelle Mudd of Louisville, Ky., and on her right is her husband Bill Mudd, president and CEO of Churchill Downs. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

Woodward’s table, near a set of glass cases, which displayed official jockey silk garments, was an attraction due to a rainbow of chapeau hues. But the glass cases are also a PokeStop, a virtual destination by the popular cell phone game, Pokemon Go.

People who visited her table could use their cell phones to snap selfies if they tried on hats. But there were some, mostly younger adults or kids, who stopped by the location simply to get Pokemon amenities at a PokeStop.

“I’m honored, this is all I could hope for,” said Woodward with a laugh.

Another PokeStop at Arlington Park is the Against All Odds statue, a large piece of public art near the park’s paddock.

From right to left, Capt. James Lovell of Lake Forest and Apollo 13 astronaut, talks with Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville of Hinsdale before the Arlington Million win at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. . (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

“I got three Poke balls and an egg,” said Anthony Korish of La Crosse, Wisconsin, a Pokemon Go player.

While others in the grandstand were betting on a million or more, some cell phone users wondered about the scoreboard on the track.

If they wanted to visit this PokeStop to get Poke balls or other game incentives, they couldn’t because the scoreboard is too far from the fence to access unless they trespassed.

“I can’t believe it,” Korish said. “I think it’s funny that they put them (PokeStops) anywhere without asking.”

This is the same scoreboard that’s within steps from the turf finish line which Daniel Tudhope passed as the first place finisher for the Arlington Million purse.

While Korish’s haul wasn’t $1 million, he seemed pleased with his early PokeStop purse.

“I got lucky,” he said, with a smile.

Cindy Augustine of Batavia is pretty in pink in her embellished hat for the Arlington Million at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

Ashley Wahl of Mokena is among ladies in dreamy hats for the Arlington Million at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

Julie Stewart of Buffalo Grove used safety pins on her hat to best the winds for the Arlington Million at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

Upper left, Levi Johnson, 8 months, of Libertyville is with his mother Michele Johnson and his sibling Olivia Johnson, 3. The Johnsons are sharing picnic space with Jenni Heffernan of Arlington Heights and her children Brynley Heffernan, 5, and Emery Heffernan, 3. Images from the Arlington Million at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

The statue Against All Odds is a Pokemon Go Stop. Anthony Korish of La Crosse, Wisconsin and Jordyn Hedberg of Waseca, Minn., access the Pokestop with a cell phone at Arlington International racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 13, 2016. (Photo by Karie Angell Luc/ for Chronicle Media)

— Arlington Million remains a special tradition for many —

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Arlington Million remains a special tradition for many

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