When the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the reconfiguring, reshuffling, and rescheduling of the Triple Crown races, the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), and other races at Saratoga Race Course of major importance for 3-year-olds, Parx Racing's two grade 1 events for sophomores became the odd ones out in 2020.
On Aug. 5, Parx officials confirmed that the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Cotillion Stakes (G1) for fillies, both of which were originally slated for Sept. 26, have been canceled for this year.
Once the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) was moved to Sept. 5 and the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) to Sept. 4, the Travers was shifted to Aug. 8, and the Preakness Stakes (G1) got pushed back to Oct. 5, the Pennsylvania Derby and the Cotillion were in a tight squeeze on the national stakes calendar, which still has the Breeders' Cup slotted for Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland.
Also scrapped in 2020 at Parx are the Gallant Bob Stakes (G2), which was run as a grade 2 race for the first time in 2019, the Turf Amazon Stakes, and the Parx Dirt Mile.
"Right now, they are all on hold until 2021," racing secretary David Osojnak said. "Because of this plague and the virus, everything is put on hold with racing and with the casino."
Like in many jurisdictions, a percentage of the profits from in-state casinos fuels the purses at Pennsylvania racetracks. The casinos had to shut down March 16, and although they reopened June 29, it was at a maximum capacity of 50%. As a result, the purse accounts at Parx have taken a major hit.
In 2019, the Pennsylvania Derby and the Cotillion each offered a purse of $1 million. The Gallant Bob had $300,000 at stake, and both the Turf Amazon and the Parx Dirt Mile were run for $150,000 each.
Osojnak said purses that would have been paid for those five stakes will be reallocated into the overnight program in hopes that Parx will be able to maintain the levels paid to the local horsemen last year.
Parx officials are optimistic that the scrapping of the Pennsylvania Derby, Cotillion, and the other three stakes is only a one-off.
"We think we'll be able to come back stronger in 2021," Osojnak said.
Parx will still run the scheduled five restricted state-bred stakes on its Labor Day card Monday, Sept. 7, and the $80,000 Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes is still a go for Dec. 5.
