Penn National Plans to Race 200 Days in 2014

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Penn National Race Course has released its 2014 stakes schedule and live racing calendar, following approval by the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission at its Dec. 12 meeting. 

Penn National announced the second running of the $500,000 Penn Mile (3-year-olds, one mile turf) will headline a card May 31 that also will feature the $200,000 Mountainview Handicap (3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles dirt), the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup (3-year-olds and up, five furlongs turf), and a new event, the $100,000 Penn Oaks (3-year-old fillies, one mile turf).

This year's inaugural running of the Penn Mile, won by Rydilluc, highlighted a day of racing in which Penn National set records for all-sources and on-track handle.

A second day of 2014 stakes races at Penn National again will be held Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 26, and will feature the $200,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap (3-year-olds and up, six furlongs dirt) and the $100,000 Swatara (3-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 dirt). The first two editions of the Fabulous Strike were both won by Ben's Cat.

Penn National's 2014 live racing schedule comprises 200 days. From January through April, live racing will be conducted four days a week (Wednesday-Saturday); in May and the first week of June, live racing will be conducted three days a week (Thursday-Saturday); and from the second week in June through the end of the year, racing will generally be conducted four days a week (Wednesday-Saturday).