ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. -- After the merger with Churchill Downs Incorporated on September 8, 2000, Arlington Park was renamed and returned to its roots.

Since 1989, when it was re-opened following a '85 fire, it had been known as Arlington International Racecourse.

"It's still Arlington International to me," said Chairman Richard L. Duchossois as he walked the turf course with me here this past weekend. Arlington again prepares to host the world with Saturday's 22nd running of the Arlington Million the centerpiece of the three Grade I turf races of the International Festival that also includes the Beverly D. Handicap for fillies and mares and the Secretariat for 3-year-olds.

Both the Beverly D. and the Arlington Million will be seen live as part of ABC Sports' NTRA Super Saturday two-hour telecast beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern.

"I'm thrilled that once again we've attracted so many International horses," Duchossois said. " We have 10 foreign horses here for the three big races and it just shows the continuing support we receive from horsemen in Europe, Asia and South America.

In the previous 21 runnings of the Millions there have been 42 horses from Great Britain, 28 from France, 10 from Canada, four from Germany, three from Ireland and one each from Hong Kong and South America.

International winners include last year's victor, Sulamani (IRE), from France. French owned horses also won this race in 1988 with Mill Native and 1992 with Dear Doctor (FR). Horses from England took the Million in 1983 (Tolomeo) and 1985 (Teleprompter). In 2001 Silvano won the big race for Germany.

"I'm proud of the impact the Million has had on thoroughbred racing worldwide," Duchossois noted. "We were the first million-dollar race in the sport's history in 1981 and it got off to such a great start with that finish when John Henry just caught The Bart at the wire to win by a nose. That gave the million instant recognition.

"Then after the fire on July 31, 1985 we came back 25 days later with the 'Miracle Million" that Lord Derby's Teleprompter won. That made such a big impact on Europe. Teleprompter was a gelding and until his victory in the million geldings were not allowed to run in group races in Europe. That helped change that."

Another big factor attracting foreign horses is Arlington's huge turf course. It's a one mile oval that is 150-feet wide through the stretch, an Irish rail designed course with five racing lanes that keep the grass in top shape.

"We know that's a factor," Duchossois said, "because we hear that from racing people all around the globe. But I think just as important are our people and the way we take care of all of our visitors and race fans. I think that's what I'm proudest of, our people."

A full field of 14 is expected for this year's mile-and-a-quarter Million led by imports like Epalo, the German-bred 5-year-old from Gary Tanaka's stable in England. Epalo has won Group races in Europe and Singapore.

Also from England is Michael Tabor's Magistretti a Group race winner at York who was ninth in the Epsom Derby.

From Ireland comes Mrs. John Magnier's Powerscourt, the Group I Tattersall's Gold Cup winner at the Curragh in May and a close second in the Group I Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. The powerful Godolphin stable from Dubai will be represented by Vespone (IRE) who has raced in Dubai, France, Italy and England

For the Beverly D. Godolphin has entered the South African-bred mare Crimson Palace who has raced this year in both the United Arab Emirates and England. The German bred 4-year-old filly, Aubonne, has campaigned this season in France and is the recent winner of a Group III race at Longchamp. They will be joined by Necklace, a British-bred 3-year-old filly, who has been racing this year in Ireland and England.

Even the 3-year-old feature, the $400,000 Grade I Secretariat, has attracted some international shippers including Irish trainer Dermot Weld's, Simple Exchange who came to Chicago last month to win Arlington's Grade II American Derby. Also from Europe are Hazyview and Moscow Ballet.

"I'm very proud of our reputation with International horsemen," Duchossois commented." It's been very much a part of our racing program since that inaugural Million back in 1981 and it remains the same today. That's why even though it now says Arlington Park at our entrance I believe the world really knows us best as Arlington International Racecourse. That's certainly the way I see it."