There are few more popular spectator sports in the United States than horse
racing, with millions passing through the gates at some of the nation’s most
popular tracks throughout the year. Horse racing’s popularity peaks in the
months of May and June, as the three legs of the Triple Crown are contested.
The Kentucky Derby is the most famous race within the nation, with betting on
the race popular even amongst those that wouldn’t normally wager on the sport.
However, attention levels remain high with the Preakness Stakes and Belmont
Stakes.
For many fans of the sport, there is often travelling that must be completed in
order to watch the world’s biggest stars. However, fortunately for racing lovers
in Philadelphia, they don’t need to venture too far with three thoroughbred
tracks located in Pennsylvania. Plus, you can bet online legally in TwinSpires.com
on upcoming races like Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
The most popular horse racing venue in the state is located in Bensalem, which is
northeast of Philadelphia. Racing at this venue has been prominent since it was
opened in November 1974, and it is a modern-day gambling paradise, with the
casino opening its doors in December 2009.
The track was previously called Keystone Racetrack, and it was constructed to
replace Liberty Bell Park. It is one of the pioneering tracks in the U.S., as it was
the first to introduce the innovative phonebet wagering option.
Some of the biggest stars in U.S. horse racing history have entered the winners’
enclosure at Parx, with names such as Spectacular Bid, Broad Brush, and Shuvee
all winning at the course. It was also famous for being the original home of
Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Smarty Jones.
Notable races at the track include the Pennsylvania Derby and Cotillion Stakes,
which are both run on the last Saturday in September.
Located just outside of Philadelphia in the city of Grantville, you will find another
one of the most popular locations for racing in the state- Hollywood Casino at
Penn National. This venue has been used to host thoroughbred action since
August 1972, with a state-of-the-art casino later opened in 2008.
One of the most unusual aspects surrounding the track is the fact that racing
runs 52 weeks each year. Rapid Redux is the most famous horse in the history of
the track, as the Eclipse Special Award winner calls the track home.
There is only one graded stakes race on the Hollywood Casino schedule, with the
Penn Mile Stakes being the big event on the calendar. This Grade Three has been
run annually since its inception in 2013, with the field of runners competing over
a mile on the turf. There have been some memorable editions of the race in
modern history, including Major Dude’s success in 2023, and Gershwin’s famous
victory in 2021.
There are few more scenic locations to watch live horse racing action than
Presque Isle Downs. This could is one of the newest in the state, as it has only
been open since February 2007. The track is owned and operated by Churchill
Downs INC, and it is also home to a state-of-the-art casino. In the gaming section,
visitors can expect to find over 1,500 slot machines.
On track, there is a synthetic Tapeta surface for racing to take place on. This
made Presque Isle Downs the first track in the U.S. to have a Tapeta surface that
stretched a mile, and it was also the first course to use the surface in the nation.
The big race on the schedule comes in the form of the Presque Isle Downs
Masters Stakes, which is a Grade Two affair staged annually in September. It is
run on the all-weather surface over 6 ½ furlongs, and it has been a Grade Two
since being upgraded in 2011.
The reason for its success has been due to the high-quality fillies that have been
attracted to the track in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup. Informed Decision
won the race before landing the Filly & Mare Sprint in 2009, before Groupie Doll
used the race as a prep before winning successive editions of the same race in
2012 and 2013.
Aside from thoroughbred racing, fans of the sport can watch harness racing at
Harrah’s Philadelphia. This track was opened in September 2006, with the casino
at the venue opened four years later. Harness racing runs at the track across 150
days, with the live meet running between April and December.
The vast majority of race days are staged across Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
and Sunday. A total of 131 horses can be housed in the paddock areas at the
track, meaning that many runners that line up at Harrah’s Philadelphia are
shipped to the paddock rather than being stabled on course.
