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). The stakes added in November are, on Nov. 23: the $75,000 Turkey Trot H. for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile and 70 yards, the $75,000 Let's Give Thanks H. for 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs and the $75,000 Cornucopia H. for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs; and, on Nov. 29: the $75,000 Future Stars H. with divisions for 2-year-olds and 2-year-old fillies, each at six furlongs.
The purse increases are for open and PA-bred maiden special weight and allowance races and started with Parx's Nov. 1 card. Parx's new condition book is online here.
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