Penn's Four-Day Racing Week Won't Include Sundays

Penn National Race Course has been awarded 208 days of live racing for 2001, with a major change in its weekly schedule. The Grantville, Pa., racetrack no longer will race on Sundays.

The Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission today approved Penn National's schedule at a meeting Thursday.

Live programs will be featured every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening beginning at 7:20 p.m. Full-card simulcasting from
will be offered as usual seven days a week.

"We're cognizant of how the local and national markets are changing," said Richard Schnaars, vice president and general manager at Penn
National. "Thursdays will afford us a consistent time schedule and condensed racing schedule. There are logistical benefits, as well as horsemen and employee benefits from compacting the racing schedule and providing the majority of those parties with quality time on Sundays."

Penn National will have a series of special post times throughout the year. Live racing will begin at 6 p.m. on Triple Crown days, Breeders' Cup Day, and Dec. 23 and 30. Holiday racing on Memorial Day weekend (May 27-28), the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend (Sept. 2-3) will get under way at noon. The track is scheduled to be closed for live racing
Sept. 5-6, Nov. 22 and Dec. 19 of next year.