Philadelphia Park Horseracing
Philadelphia Park is a thoroughbred racing facility in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. It has two tracks that feature year-round horseracing.
Philadelphia Park is the proud home of Pennsylvania's premier thoroughbred race, the Pennsylvania Derby. Held on Labor Day, the Pennsylvania Derby is a nine-furlong race for three year olds.
The other events it hosts annually include the Cotillion Handicap, the Pennsylvania Oaks, the Larry R. Riviello President's Cup, the My Juliet, the Gallant Bob Handicap and the Steve Van Buren Handicap.
Philadelphia Park is the home of 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Smarty Jones. His victories have generated renewed interest for this track.
Philadelphia Park Facts
- Main Track: one mile, oval
- Turf Course: seven furlongs, oval
- Distance from last turn to finish line: 974 feet
Philadelphia Park Records - Dirt Track
| Distance | Horse | Weight (lbs) | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Furlongs | Ben's Cat | 120 | :54 4/5 | June 17, 2012 |
| 5 ½ Furlongs | Richburg Saint Verre Jacob's Run |
117 118 118 |
1:02 3/5 | Dec 5, 1999 July 17, 2000 Sept 8, 2007 |
| 6 Furlongs | Indian Way | 114 | 1:07 3/5 | May 23, 2009 |
| 6 ½ Furlongs | Cherokee Country | 115 | 1:14 2/5 | Sept 7, 2009 |
| 7 Furlongs | Eternal Star | 118 | 1:20 2/5 | June 28, 2008 |
| 1 Mile | Regal Count | 116 | 1:34 4/5 | Dec 5, 1985 |
| 1 Mile & 70 Yards | Cantonic | 120 | 1:39 1/5 | June 11, 2012 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Cool Spring Park | 109 | 1:40 3/5 | Nov 4, 1974 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Bayern | 122 | 1:46 96/100 | Sept 20, 2014 |
| 1 ½ Miles | Laugh A Minute | 117 | 2:31 0/5 | Jan 4, 1992 |
Philadelphia Park Records - Turf Course
| Distance | Horse | Weight (lbs) | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Furlongs | Smart Enough | 117 | :55 2/5 | Sept 22, 2008 |
| 7 ½ Furlongs | Dancing Tin Man | 116 | 1:30 3/5 | May 30, 2006 |
| 1 Mile | Key Event | — | 1:35 1/5 | July 2, 2007 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Whatever For | 117 | 1:40 2/5 | June 22, 1986 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Whatever For | 113 | 1:46 1/5 | Sept 1, 1986 |
| 1 ½ Miles | Lord Zada | 115 | 2:28 1/5 | June 10, 2000 |
History of Philadelphia Park
1974 - In November, Philadelphia Park opened under its original name Keystone.
1984 - The track was purchased by ITB for $40 million. It got its new name, a new turf course, and a new way to wager called Phonebet.
1990 - In December, Greenwood Racing became the track's new owner. Full card simulcasting was added. Five off-track locations called Turf Clubs were also added.
1999 - The paddock at Philadelphia Park was expanded and refurbished while the Grandstand's exterior was repainted. A modern Turf Club was unveiled, complete with plush simulcast theaters, a brand new dining room, and sports bar, a horsemen's lounge, and a grand entrance.
2004 – The track gained global recognition as the training base for popular dual-classic winner Smarty Jones. The public momentum from his historic racing campaign helped secure the passage of Pennsylvania's slot machine legislation, which was officially signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell right in the track's winner's circle.
2006 – Following approval for a gaming license, the venue took its first step toward becoming a racino. On December 21, a temporary casino floor opened to the public, occupying the first and third floors of the main grandstand building.
2009 – The facility officially rebranded as "Parx," a stylized nod to its previous name. In December, the venue completed its transition with the grand opening of a standalone, 150,000-square-foot casino building built right next to the historic racetrack.
2010 – To unify the property's brand identity, the racing side was formally renamed Parx Racing. This milestone year also marked the debut of live table games, including blackjack and craps, while the original grandstand facility was designated as Parx East.
2019 – Capitalizing on new state regulations, the venue completed a major sportsbook expansion. A state-of-the-art, permanent sports betting lounge was built featuring a massive HD media wall, which coincided with the launch of the property's initial digital wagering options.
2022 – Parx finalized its modern digital evolution by launching the unified betPARX mobile application, successfully translating its brick-and-mortar casino and sports betting operations into the online gaming market.