Parx to Add Fall Festival, Cut Total Dates

Parx Racing and the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association have reached an agreement to offer higher purses at a planned fall festival while cutting dates from the annual schedule.

The $20 Million Parx Racing Fall Festival this year will commence Aug. 29 and continue through Oct. 20. A joint release from the track and the PTHA said that by doubling purse levels throughout the two-month festival, Parx and the PTHA have created a signature race meet that will attract top horse racing talent in the industry, increase the field size of the races, enhance betting interest, and draw new fans to the track.

In part to help fund the increased purse levels during the festival, Parx and the PTHA have agreed to reduce the annual number of live racing days to 153. Parx raced 199 dates last year.

The reduction will end its year-round racing status as there will be two separate breaks in winter and summer that will include the Christmas holidays through mid-February and three weeks in August beginning in 2016. The track will remain open for training year-round, including the days closed for live racing.

Over the past four years, Parx and the PTHA have worked to build a festival around one of the track’s signature racing days: the $1 Million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) and Cotillion Stakes (gr. I). Last year's Derby featured dual classic winner California Chrome and eventual Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Bayern. The 2014 Cotillion was led by eventual Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner Untapable.

The new initiative will double purses for each of the 32 live race days during the festival.

“Parx is thrilled to work with the PTHA on this revitalizing plan to enhance our overall live racing product for our owners and trainers as well as racing fans,” Parx chief operating officer Joe Wilson said in a release. “This significant agreement is a reflection of the ongoing commitment of Parx Racing and the PTHA to offer the highest-caliber racing program for our devoted fans.”

Also as part of the new agreement, Parx said it will invest an additional $4.4 million in racetrack infrastructure and property improvements to enhance the overall racing experience. Improvements will include installation of a new safety rail, beautification of the track’s paddock and winner’s circle, and a variety of enhancements in the barn area including paving and planting of trees between barns.

“The PTHA is excited by the changes to our live racing schedule and the creation of a signature racing meet during the fall at Parx that will attract some of the top national and regional horses and talent,” PTHA president Salvatore M. DeBunda said. “Doubling purses will improve the competitiveness and caliber of our racing product, make the races more exciting, and increase fan and bettor interest.”

The Racing Biz reports that the agreement between the track and horsemen is for three years. The story notes that some believe the agreement is designed to counteract proposed legislation that would reduce racing dates at Pennsylvania tracks to 100 days a year as legislators aim to reduce the amount of gaming money committed to purses.