Washington Park Racetrack opened on July 3, 1926, with the American Derby and a $100,000 purse, and, built by Washington Park Corporation and Illinois Jockey Club, became a home for the nation's finest thoroughbreds. Colonel Matt Winn and the American Turf Association bought the track in 1929, and Ben Lindheimer and Associates acquired it in 1935. A record crowd of 57,036 turned out on Labor Day 1946 to see Armed break the track record for a mile and a quarter. Prominent stables that raced here included Calumet and Dixiana, with horses such as Sun Beau, Whirlaway, Citation, and Round Table. Willie Shoemaker and Bill Hardtack battled for national jockey honors in the early 1950s. On August 31, 1955, Nashua, ridden by Eddie Arcaro, beat Swaps, ridden by Willie Shoemaker, by 6 1/2 lengths in the "Greatest Match Race in American Thoroughbred History," which A.C. Nielsen estimated drew millions of viewers and made television sporting history. Marje Lindheimer Everett rebuilt the track, enclosed the plant in glass in 1962, and introduced harness racing. Other owners included Gulf & Western Industries, and Madison Square Garden Corporation later introduced nationally recognized entertainers in a concert venue. Illinois's first Sunday pari-mutuel racing in 1976 and first winter thoroughbred racing in 1977 were granted here. The racetrack's grandstand and clubhouse burned in a colossal fire on February 5, 1977, ending its rich history.