Arlington Classic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Arlington Classic Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-old horses held annually at the end of June at Arlington Park race track near Chicago, Illinois. Currently it is raced over a distance of 1 1/16 miles on turf. At one time the Arlington Classic was one of the most important races in the United States, drawing the best 3-year-olds in the country. According to the July 25, 1932 issue [1] of TIME magazine, it was then the richest race for 3-year-olds in America.
The Arlington Classic became part of Arlington Park's "Mid-America Triple" which included the American Derby in July and the Secretariat Stakes in August. The Triple was last won by Honor Glide in 1997.
Winners of the Arlington Classic include:
- Blue Larkspur (1929)
- Gallant Fox (1930)
- Challedon (1939)
- Twilight Tear (1944)
- Native Dancer (1953)
- Nashua (1955)
- T.V. Lark (1960)
- Ridan (1962)
- Tom Rolfe (1965)
- Buckpasser (1966)
- Dr. Fager (1967)
- Ack Ack (1969)
- Alydar (1978)
- Play Fellow (1983)
- Smile (1985)
- Lost Code (1987)
- Honor Glide (1997)
- King Cugat (2000)
A noteworthy upset in the Arlington Classic occurred in 1946 when Assault, who had just won the United States Triple Crown, finished last.
