Bonus added to Arlington's Mid-America Triple

Arlington Park officials announced that they will offer a $500,000 bonus to

the owner of any horse who can sweep the Mid-America Triple at the suburban

Chicago racecourse.

The Mid-America Triple is a three-race series for three-year-olds that

consists of the $150,000 Arlington Classic, the $300,000 American Derby (G2) and

the $400,000 Secretariat S. (G1). All three races will be run over Arlington's

turf course.

"For many years, the races that make up the Mid-America Triple attracted some

of the best sophomores in training," said Kevin Greely, Arlington Park's vice

president of racing and racing secretary. "By offering this lucrative bonus, we

hope to not only reward success but also to restore this historic series to its

past luster."

The 1 1/16-mile Arlington Classic will be run for the 75th time on May 23.

The American Derby, going 1 3/16 miles, is Chicago's oldest stakes race dating

back to 1884 and will be held for the 95th time as part of Arlington's Million

Preview Day card on July 11. The Secretariat, the final leg of the Triple at the

classic distance of 1 1/4 miles, will have its 33rd running and be contested as

part of the International Festival of Racing on August 8.

Only one horse -- Honor Glide in 1997 -- has captured the Mid-America Triple

in its current all-turf configuration. Tom Rolfe and Buckpasser swept the Triple

in 1965 and 1966, respectively, when the series consisted of the Arlington

Classic, the American Derby and the Chicagoan -- all on dirt.

In order to give horsemen ample time to nominate to the Mid-America Triple

and take advantage of the newly-added bonus, the deadline for nominations has

been pushed back by two weeks to April 10. Arlington officials will be at tracks

around the country to solicit nominations.

Arlington Park will run a 98-day meet in 2009 from May 1 through September

27.