| Parx Racing and Casino | |
|---|---|
| Location | Bensalem, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia area) |
| Address | 2999 Street Road Bensalem, PA 19020 |
| Opening date | Racetrack: 1974 (New Casino: Opened on December 18, 2009) |
| Notable restaurants | Park Grille Grab-N-Go Circle Bar Steakhouse Bar Video Poker Bar |
| Casino type | Land-Based |
| Owner | Greenwood Racing, Inc. |
| Previous names | Keystone Park (1974-1984) Philadelphia Park (1984-2010) |
| Website | Casino Racetrack |
Parx Racing and Casino is a thoroughbred horse racetrack and racino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. It currently houses 3,300 slot machines.
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Originally called Keystone Racetrack, it opened in November 1974 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, it replaced Liberty Bell Park Racetrack as the area's thoroughbred track. When the track was purchased in 1984 by ITB, the racetrack received a new name, Philadelphia Park, a new turf course, and an innovative new way to wager called Phonebet.
In December 1990, the racetrack again changed hands when Greenwood Racing, Inc., a corporation founded in 1989 by British bookmaking veterans Bob Green and Bill Hogwood, purchased the oval from ITB. Full card simulcasting was added, as well as six off-track locations called Turf Clubs, allowing race fans to watch and wager seven days a week.
Late in 1998, Greenwood joined with fellow Pennsylvania corporation, Penn National Gaming, Inc., in expanding into New Jersey with the purchase of Freehold Raceway in Freehold Borough, New Jersey and the operating lease of Garden State Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The new partnership, called Pennwood, was expected to pursue off-track and account wagering in the Garden State. Garden State Park closed in 2002, and was razed shortly thereafter. Simulcasting on cable broadcasting systems (notably those owned by Comcast) was discontinued in March 2010, and shortly replaced by Comcast with TVG Network, who later joined with Harrah's Chester to bring their own simulcasting betting accounts in October 2010. On August 30, the track was rechristened as Parx Racing and Casino.
Over the years, such notable horses as Shuvee, My Juliet, Spectacular Bid, Revidere, Summer Squall, and Broad Brush have found their way to the winner's circle at Parx Racing and Casino. The track became famous as the original home of 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion Smarty Jones, who placed second in the Belmont Stakes, narrowly missing the Triple Crown.
Parx Racing and Casino is the home of Pennsylvania's two premier thoroughbred race, the US $1 million (as of 2010) Grade II Pennsylvania Derby and the US $500,000 Grade II Fitz Eugene Dixon Cotillion Handicap. The Pennsylvania Derby, which first served as a Memorial Day replacement for the Jersey Derby after the original grandstand at Garden State Park was destroyed by a fire in 1978, was held on Labor Day until 2010 when the race was moved to the last Saturday in September, making it closer to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, is a 1.125 miles (1.811 km) (nine furlongs) race for three year olds that has consistently attracted quality fields, and large crowds. Over the past few years, the Pennsylvania Derby has evolved into a three-day festival that lasts all of Labor Day weekend at the racetrack, culminating with the running of the Derby. The festival has now become a month long event that features the annual Owners and Pennsylvania Day at the Races the Saturday after Labor Day, and a new US $300,000 preliminary event on Labor Day named the Smarty Jones. The race was not run in 2006 because of the rebuilding of the main grandstand as a "racino".
The Cotillion, which has been held since thoroughbred racing began in Pennsylvania in 1969 at the old Liberty Bell Park in Northeast Philadelphia, is a 1.0625 miles (1.7099 km) (Eight and a half furlong) race, is held (as of 2010) on the first Saturday in October as part of a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer charity with races featuring female jockeys called "Parx Racing Ladies Day at the Races"
The main grandstand lower floor was reconstructed back into a horse racing facility in September 2010.
The track's announcer is Keith Jones. Mr. Jones began his announcing career at Garden State Park as an assistant in the summer of 1985. He took over the full time duties at Philadelphia Park in 1987. He also spent 13 years as the public address announcer for the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League and has also had the chance to call a handful of games for the parent club, the Philadelphia Flyers. In addition, Mr. Jones serves as host of the TV program, Let's Go Racing, a 30 minute show featuring highlights of local racing and major, national stakes.
The Pennsylvania State Fair was held at the racetrack annually from 1987 to 2006. In 2002, the track hosted the Claiming Crown of horse racing.
The movie Safe, starring Jason Statham filmed at Parx Racing and Casino.[1]
On September 27, 2006, the racetrack was awarded a conditional slots license by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, allowing construction to begin on the casino. Final approval of a permanent license came on December 20, 2006, the following day the casino opened. Bally's was chosen as the casino management system.[1] The name of the casino -"Parx" - a modified spelling of the racetrack name - was unveiled following a fireworks display on July 4, 2009.
The plan for the 430-acre (1.7 km2) site:
So far, Parx has 3,300 slot machines. Electronic table games, such as roulette, blackjack, and poker, are also available.
On December 18, 2009, the casino building opened, with 3,300 slot machines.
On July 18, 2010, the casino began operating table games.
Parx Racetrack and Casino currently has the following dining and entertainment venues:
The Players Club consists of three levels: Players Club, Premium, and Elite.
Parx East
Parx East, featuring card games, held its ribbon cutting ceremony on December 22, 2010. Parx East is the new name of the grandstand with gambling returning to that building. Gaming is now divided between two buildings on the Parx complex.
The track has a 1 mile (1.6 km) dirt oval and a 7 furlong - .875 miles (1.408 km) - turf oval.
The following stakes are run at Parx Racing and Casino:
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