Tentative Meet Opening of June 8 for Presque Isle Downs

Tentative plans call for Presque Isle Downs to open its backstretch May 15 with a meet-opening target date of June 8, according to a statement released on Twitter from Todd Mostoller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

If new information causes a delay of the May 15 stable opening, June 1 would become the amended backstretch opening date. The meet would then begin June 22. Any further delays related to COVID-19 would result in continued two-week pushbacks, according to Mostoller.

The Pennsylvania HBPA advises horsemen to not ship horses in anticipation of the backstretch opening but to monitor for updates of a firm date. Other meet details, including a daily purse structure, race dates, and updated stakes calendar, will be announced at a later date.

Presque Isle, owned by Churchill Downs Inc., had been scheduled to open May 11 for a meet that was to continue until Oct. 22. Like other tracks in Pennsylvania, it is subsidized by gaming. The casino on the property has been closed because of COVID-19 since March 16.

The stakes program at Presque Isle was to begin May 18 with the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes. The track's signature race comes in the fall when it hosts the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2), a $400,000 sprint at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares that was set for Sept. 21 prior to the disruption of racing.