Joseph F. Joyce Jr., founder of the Arlington Million, died Monday. He was
77.
As president and chief executive officer of Arlington Park, Joyce created and
launched the Arlington Million in 1981, the first race in the world with a
$1-million purse. John Henry won the inaugural running of the Arlington Million
en route to his first Horse of the Year title.
In 1985, Joyce presided over the “Miracle Million” just three weeks after a
fire consumed the Arlington Park grandstand. As a result, Arlington Park
received a special Eclipse Award.
Joyce began his horse racing career as legal counsel and chief operating
officer for New York Off-Track Betting in 1971. He became chairman of Arlington
Park, Washington Park and Roosevelt Raceway in 1974. Two years later, he was
named president and CEO of Arlington Park, a position he held until 1982.
Joyce owned Wyoming Downs from 1990 to 1998. He also served on the advisory
board of the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona from its
inception in 1973
until his death.
Joyce earned an undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College. He attended
Fordham Law School and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1956. He served in
Korea with the United States Marine Corp and received the Purple Heart.
Joyce has two sons in racing. Eugene, 47, is president and general manger of
Turf Paradise, and Michael, 30, is an on-air analyst with Television Games
Network.