Another facet of Pennsylvania sports betting is here as the start of the three-year-old season has begun. Thoroughbred racing is only 71 days away from the first Saturday in May.
Many racetracks across the country are preparing for their spring and summer meets, including Parx Racing in Bensalem. The track just outside Philadelphia announced its 2024 stakes schedule earlier this week.
Two of Parx signature races - the $1 million Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and $1 million Grade 1 Cotillion - will be run on Saturday, Sept. 21, adding to a big wagering weekend as PA sports betting apps also will have pro and college football that weekend.
Parx also is one of the operators of Pennsylvania online casinos.
Pennsylvania Derby Day Highlight of Season
The loaded Pennsylvania Derby Day card will include 11 stakes races with purses totaling $3,650,000. The undercard will feature three graded stakes races – the Grade 2 $400,00 Gallant Bob Stakes, the $250,000 Grade 3 Turf Monster and the $200,000 Grade 3 Greenwood Cup (GIII). Also on the same day will be the $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile and the inaugural edition of the $100,000 Parx Sprint.
Last year, Saudi Crown won the Pennsylvania Derby in gate-to-wire fashion for his first victory at the graded stakes level.
Saudi Crown will be racing Saturday at morning line odds of 14-1 in a 15-horse field in the 2024 edition of the $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the world's richest horse race.“2024 is going to be a blast,” said David Osojnak, Parx director of racing, in a news release. “This year Parx is offering 40 stakes races with total purses of over $6,300,000. As usual - our annual big day is Pennsylvania Derby/Cotillion Day.”
Other highlights on the calendar include: the $100,000 Page McKenney Stakes and the $100,000 Unique Bella Stakes on April 22; a trio of turf stakes with the PTHA President’s Cup on June 8, with the Crowd Pleaser and Power By Far Stakes June 24.
Pennsylvania Derby/Cotillion Preview Day on August 24 will feature six stake races, including the $200,000 Cathryn Sophia Stakes and the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.
During the holiday season, the Thanksgiving Eve Racing Festival will be held on Nov. 27 anchored by the $100,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes for two-year-olds. The Parx Winter Festival (Dec. 30-31) will feature the $100,000 Wait for it Stakes and Miss Behaviour Stakes.
After catching the racing, you can walk over to Parx casino for slots and table games such as blackjack and roulette.
