The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission approved 2021 race dates during its Nov. 17 meeting largely in line with the state's racing schedule following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among three tracks for next year 348 racing dates were approved, down from 434 dates in 2020, according to the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
The three Thoroughbred tracks in Pennsylvania, like many tracks across North America, did not run their full allotment of dates this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down racing during the spring.
According to the THA, Penn National Race Course was approved to stick with its post-shutdown schedule with racing on Wednesday and Friday evenings from Jan. 8-Dec. 17. This amounts to 96 programs.
The track has been carding 11 races when racing twice a week, compared to eight races a day when racing three times weekly.
Parx Racing, which was scheduled for 170 days this year, plans to run 152 next year. Like Penn National, Parx runs virtually year-round. It was approved to race Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for a meet from Jan. 4-Dec. 19.
The Parx stakes schedule for 2021 has not been finalized. The Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Cotillion Stakes (G1) went on hiatus at Parx during this COVID-19 altered year.
Presque Isle Downs was approved for its usual schedule of 100 days, racing Mondays through Thursdays from May 10-Oct. 21, the THA wrote in a release.
Purses in Pennsylvania are subsidized by casino revenue, which is down this year from COVID-19 related shutdowns and attendance restrictions. Revenue has also declined from growth in the state's online gaming. No revenue from online slots play goes to horse racing, nor does sports betting revenue, according to the THA.
