Philadelphia Park Racetrack
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Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack is a thoroughbred horse racetrack and casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
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[edit] History
Originally called Keystone Racetrack, it opened in November of 1974 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Purchased in 1984 by ITB, the racetrack received its new name, a new turf course, and an innovative new way to wager called Phonebet.
In December of 1990, the racetrack again changed hands. Greenwood Racing, Inc., a corporation founded in 1989 by British bookmaking veterans Bob Green and Bill Hogwood purchased the oval from ITB. Full card simulcasting was added as well as six off-track locations called Turf Clubs. Race fans are able to watch and wager seven days a week.
Late in 1998, Greenwood joined with fellow Pennsylvania Corporation, Penn National Gaming, in expanding into New Jersey with the purchase of Freehold Raceway in Freehold, NJ and the operating lease of Garden State Park in Cherry Hill, NJ. The new partnership, called Pennwood, is expected to pursue off-track and account wagering in the Garden State. Garden State Park closed in 2002, and was razed shortly thereafter.
Over the years, such notable horses as Smarty Jones, Shuvee, Gallant Bob, My Juliet, Spectacular Bid, Revidere, Summer Squall, and Broad Brush have found their way to the winners' circle at Philadelphia Park.
Philadelphia Park Racetrack is the home of Pennsylvania's premier thoroughbred race, the $1 million (as of 2007) Grade II Pennsylvania Derby. Held on Labor Day, the Pennsylvania Derby is a one and an eighth mile (nine furlongs/1.811 km) race for three year olds and has consistently attracted quality fields, and large crowds. Over the past few years, the Pennsylvania Derby has evolved into a three-day festival at the racetrack. The festival lasts all of Labor Day weekend with the culmination on Labor Day with the running of the Derby. The race was not run in 2006 due to the rebuilding of the main grandstand as a "racino".
The Pennsylvania Fair is held every year for almost two weeks around Memorial Day.
[edit] Future expansion/casino
On September 27, 2006, the racetrack was awarded a conditional slots license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.[1] This allowed them to begin construction on a casino at the racetrack. Final approval of a permanent license came on December 20, 2006, with the Casino opening the previous day. Bally's was chosen as the supplier for the casino management system.[2]
The plan for the 430 acre site:
- Phase 1-Renovation of the existing grandstand, building of the slots facility, and garage 1. (Complete)
- Phase 2-A luxury hotel, clubhouse spa, conference center, large events center, mall, garage 2, and casino expansion. (Beginning in early 2007)
- Phase 3-Three land sites still to be determined, and garage 3.
- Phase 4-Various housing developments and championship golf course.
[edit] Physical attributes
The track has a one mile dirt oval and a seven furlong turf oval.
[edit] Racing
The following graded stakes are run at Philadelphia Park:
[edit] Trivia
- Jockey Anthony Black, Philadelphia's all-time winningest jockey, became the 20th jockey in North American history to win 5,000 career races when his mount, Actcentric, won the fifth race on May 1, 2006.
