Penn National Inaugurates 'Racing Festival'

Total purses of almost $1 million will be offered at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course for what the track is calling the "Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Racing Festival" July 31-Aug. 1.

The stakes highlight is the $200,000 Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs on the turf. The 123-pound high weight is Penn National-based Fabulous Strike, considered by some as the top sprinter in North America.

Others nominated for the Aug. 1 Governor’s Cup, the richest race in Penn National history, include top grass sprinters Chamberlain Ridge, Heros Reward, and Mr. Nightlinger. The program, which begins one hour earlier at 5:45 p.m. EDT, will offer three other stakes: the Capital City and Turf Starlet on the turf, and the East Hanover Township on the dirt.

On July 31, the program that begins at 6:45 p.m. will feature the $100,000 Jennie Wade Stakes for fillies and mares on the turf, and two $75,000 stakes—the Red Carpet and Femme Fatale.

Entries for the July 31 and Aug. 1 programs will be taken July 28 and July 29, respectively.