The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), in collaboration with Parx Racing, has announced several purse increases starting in the November condition book, along with the addition of five new stakes races in late November, including three for Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 23, and two on Tuesday, Nov. 29.
“The increased purses and additional stakes races are the result of higher than forecast handle throughout the year, including the record-breaking handle for Pennsylvania Derby Day,” said Jeff Matty, Executive Director of the PTHA. “Increasing these purses, especially our state-bred purses, will allow us to build on this momentum heading into 2023 while at the same time being very competitive with surrounding state-bred programs. The breeding side of our business has a major impact on the state's agricultural economy and we want to do our part to encourage people to breed, foal, and race Pennsylvania-bred foals.”
This year, the stakes program at Parx added PA-bred and PA-Sired races in coordination with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA). In addition, Parx Director of Racing David Osojnak and his team's open stakes at Parx attracted multiple Grade 1 winners, both in open divisions as well as filly and mares.
“We are fortunate to have very good horses, trainers, owners, and jockeys here at Parx,” David Osojnak, Parx Director of Racing/Racing Secretary. “The quality of our horse population and our racing has gotten better every year since I have been here and our handle numbers reflect this steady improvement. It's a no-brainer to increase our purses for our higher-class races and to build on our stakes program.”
“The breeders are grateful to Parx Racing and the PTHA for moving the restricted purses up starting on November 1st. After a very successful Pa-Bred / Pa-Sired Stakes program this year, these purse increases are just another added incentive to breed and race in Pennsylvania,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.
The purse increases are for the Open and PA Bred Maiden Special Weight and Allowance races. They started with Parx's Nov. 1 card.
The five additional stakes races scheduled for November include:
Wednesday, Nov. 23
The Turkey Trot Handicap
For Three Year Olds and Upward
$75,000
One Mile Seventy Yards
The Let's Give Thanks Handicap
For Three Year Olds and Upward
$75,000
Six and One Half Furlongs
The Cornucopia Handicap
$75,000
For Fillies and Mares Three Year Olds and Upward
Six and One Half Furlongs
Tuesday, Nov. 29
The Future Stars Handicap
$75,000
For Two Year Olds
Six Furlongs
The Future Stars Handicap – Filly Division
$75,000
For Two Year Old Fillies
Six Furlongs
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