Prominent Illinois owner and breeder Russell L. Reineman was honored with Arlington Park's "Lifetime Achievement Award" as the highlight of festivities at the Chicago oval's annual awards dinner held Thursday evening at Trackside Arlington Park. Reineman has bred and raced a top quality stable for several decades all over the country while campaigning horses in Illinois, New York, Kentucky and Florida. Among the outstanding horses to carry his colors were 1962 Juvenile Filly Champion Smart Deb, 1986 Travers winner Wise Times and 1980 American Derby winner Hurry Up Blue. Most recently, Reineman raced War Emblem to win the 2002 Illinois Derby in his silks before selling him to The Thoroughbred Corp. The colt went on to capture last year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness for those new owners. Reineman accepted his award from Richard L. Duchossois, chairman of Arlington Park. "There is no greater racetrack in the world than Arlington, thanks to you," Reineman told Duchossois during the presentation. "I am so honored to receive this award, and can tell you personally that there is no greater racetrack than Arlington to race at." Arlington's "Lifetime Achievement Award" started two years ago, with Bill Thayer, senior vice president of racing, honored as its first recipient. Last year, the award was given to retiring Arlington bugler Joe Kelly. Also honored Thursday evening with Arlington's "2003 Rising Star Award" was trainer Rebecca Maker, who has saddled 12 winners, 10 runner-ups, and nine third-place finishers from 64 starters so far this season Previous "Rising Star Award" winners were jockey Robby Albarado in 1996, trainer Chris Block in 1997, jockey Zoe Cadman in 2000, trainer Jackie Wright in 2001, and jockey Elvis Trujillo last year
Leading owner Frank C. Calabrese, trainer Wayne Catalano, and jockey Rene Douglas were also honored.