After being forced to cancel the majority of its 2020 stakes schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Parx Racing has released its' 2021 stakes schedule featuring over $5 million in purses. The marque event is the return of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes. Both one-million dollar races will be run on Saturday, September 25 along with seven other stakes including The Gallant Bob (G2), Turf Monster (G3), Dr. James Penny Memorial (G3), and the Greenwood Cup (G3).
“Others tracks have had a lot of success both from a wagering stand point and being able to create a buzz running several of their major races on the same card,” explained David Osojnak, Director of Racing for Parx. “The goal is to continue to expand the PA Derby/Cotillion card into one of the premier days in the fall racing schedule.”
Tuesday, Aug. 24 will be the inaugural PA Derby/Cotillion Preview Day, featuring the Grade 3 Smarty Jones Stakes and the Cathryn Sophia Stakes as well as the always exciting Parx Dash (G3). As an added incentive Parx will be awarding a $50,000 bonus to both the owner and trainer of any horse which wins both the Smarty Jones and the PA Derby as well as a separate $50,000 bonus for connections that sweep both the Cathryn Sophia and the Cotillion.
“This added incentive is emblematic of PARX Racing's and the PTHA's commitment to Pennsylvania's horseracing industry and community,” Osojnak said. “Several of our 2019 stakes participants went on to compete in the Breeders' Cup races in 2019 with Spun to Run (Smarty Jones S. winner, and Pa Derby participant) winning the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) for (Juan) Carlos Guerrero. With our stakes schedule Parx is an ideal place to condition and compete good up-and coming horses.”
Parx will host 12 Pa Bred Stakes in 2021 awarding $1.2 million dollars in purses highlighted by five Pennsylvania bred stake races on PA Day at the Races, Monday Aug. 23.
The stakes schedule rounds out with Owners Appreciation Day on Labor Day Sept. 6, Hall of Fame Day on Oct. 12, and the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes on Dec. 7.
RACE DAY LASIX IS PROHIBITED IN ALL GRADED STAKES.
2021 Parx Racing Stakes Schedule
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
$100,000 PAGE MCKENNEY HANDICAP (PA-Bred), 3 & Up – 7 Furlongs
$100,000 UNIQUE BELLA STAKES (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 7 Furlongs
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
$100,000 CROWD PLEASER STAKES (PA-Bred), 3 YO – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$100,000 POWER BY FAR STAKES (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
Monday, August 23, 2021
$100,000 BANJO PICKER SPRINT (PA-Bred), 3 & Up – 6 Furlongs
$100,000 DR. TERESA GAROFALO MEMORIAL (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 6 Furlongs
$100,000 MARSHALL JENNEY HANDICAP (PA -Bred), 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
$100,000 MRS. PENNY STAKES (PA -Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$100,000 STORM CAT STAKES (PA – Bred), 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
$150,000 CATHRYN SOPHIA STAKES, 3 YO F – 1 Mile 70 Yards
$200,000 PARX DASH – Grade III, 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
$300,000 SMARTY JONES STAKES – Grade III, 3 YO – 1 & 1/16 Miles
Monday, September 6, 2021
$100,000 ROAMIN RACHEL STAKES, F & M 3 & Up – 6 & 1/2 Furlongs
$100,000 SALVATORE M. DEBUNDA PTHA PRESIDENT'S CUP, F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Saturday, September 25, 2021
$100,000 ALPHABET SOUP HANDICAP (PA-Bred), 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$100,000 PLUM PRETTY (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles
$200,000 PARX DIRT MILE (Listed), 3 & Up – 1 Mile
$200,000 GREENWOOD CUP – Grade III, 3 & Up – 1 & 1/2 Miles
$200,000 DR. JAMES PENNY MEMORIAL – Grade III, F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$300,000 TURF MONSTER – Grade III, 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
$300,000 GALLANT BOB STAKES – Grade II, 3 YO – 6 Furlongs
$1,000,000 COTILLION STAKES – Grade I, 3YO F – 1 & 1/16 Miles
$1,000,000 PENNSYLVANIA DERBY – Grade I, 3YO – 1 & 1/18 Miles
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
$100,000 M.P. BALLEZZI APPRECIATION MILE, 3 & Up – 1 Mile
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
$100,000 PENNSYLVANIA NURSERY STAKES (PA-Bred), 2 YO – 7 Furlongs
The post Pennsylvania Derby, Cotillion Return To Parx’s Lasix-Free Stakes Schedule In 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
