There are few more followed sports in the United States than horse racing, with a vast number of bets placed on major events on the equine schedule, such as the Breeders’ Cup, Belmont Stakes, and Kentucky Derby.
The latter typically shapes the racing season, with the line-up for the opening leg of the Triple Crown being made up based on the results in the prep series. The results on the Road to the Kentucky Derby can be found here: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/road-to-the-derby/.
But, for fans of racing in Philadelphia, there is no shortage of locations to watch live action regularly. Below, you can find out more about the best horse racing tracks around the city.
The most popular horse racing track in the area of Philadelphia is located northeast of the city in Bensalem Township. Parx Casino and Racing has been open to the public since 1974 when it was previously known as Keystone Racetrack.
The track was opened to replace Liberty Bell Park as the premier thoroughbred track in the area. Sweeping changes have been made to the course throughout its history, including the introduction of a turf course in 1984 and the opening of the casino in 2009.
Two of the biggest races in the state take place at the track annually. The Pennsylvania Derby is a Grade One event run over nine furlongs, with horses aged three able to compete. History was made in the event in 1991, as Andrea Seefeldt became the first female rider to win the race.
The other major Grade One on the schedule at the track is the Cotillion Stakes, run over 1 1/16 miles by fillies aged three. Talented horses typically win the race, including subsequent Breeders’ Cup Distaff champions Thorpedo Anna and Untapable.
One of the most celebrated tracks in the state of Pennsylvania can be found 17 miles east of Harrisburg in the form of Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. This track was opened to the public in 1972, and consists of a one-mile dirt track and seven-furlong turf course.
Unusually for tracks in the U.S., it is one of the few that offers live racing 52 weeks per year. It is also famed for being the home to trainer David Wells and his Eclipse Special Award-winning horse Rapid Redux, who famously won 22 straight races before retiring in March 2012.
Only one graded race is included on the schedule- the G3 Penn Mile Stakes. This race is run on the turf course by horses aged three, and boasts a purse of $400,000. It has been won in recent years by Mark Casse-trained Dream On and Todd Pletcher’s Major Dude.
Located near Erie, you can find the Churchill Downs Inc-owned Presque Isle Downs & Casino. This track is one of the newest in the state, as it was opened to the public in 2007. Unlike other thoroughbred courses in Pennsylvania, the racing at Presque Isle Downs is competed on a Tapeta surface. Therefore, it is the only track in the U.S. using this surface.
It is also the only synthetic course in the Northeast that is longer than a mile. Seven stakes race are included on the annual calendar, including the Presque Isle Mile, the Tom Ridge Stakes, and the Fitz Dixon Jr Memorial Juvenile Stakes. However, the big race in the diary is the G2 Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes.
This race is run by fillies and mares aged three and older, and covers a distance of 6 ½ furlongs. It has been a prolific race for producing Breeders’ Cup champions, with Informed Decision and Groupie Doll both later landing the Filly & Mare Sprint at the end-of-season event.
The only track located in the heart of Philadelphia comes in the form of Harrah’s Philadelphia. This location has been open to the public since 2006, and it is one of the most coveted gambling locations in the area, with live table games, poker, and slots also available.
In total, the establishment also has four bars and four restaurants. However, on track, fans can watch high-quality harness racing on 150 days per year. The racing season runs between April and December, with popular days for racing being Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. The track is also equipped with lights suitable for running racing at night time. However, no night time racing has been staged at the venue since 2011.
Simulcast options are also available at the venue, making it a popular location to watch and wager on race days at Churchill Downs, Saratoga, and Keeneland. The vast majority of horses that run at the track are locally trained, with the stables at Harrah’s Philadelphia only capable of holding 131 horses.
