Parx Racing released the 2023 stakes schedule featuring 31 stakes races with purses in excess of $6 million, anchored by the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby and the Grade 1, $1 million Cotillion on Sept. 23.
The stakes-laden Pennsylvania Derby Day card will include 10 stakes with purses totaling $3,650,000. The undercard will feature three graded stakes, including the $400,000 Gallant Bob (G2), the $250,000 Turf Monster (G3), the $200,000 Greenwood Cup (G3), as well as the $300,000 Parx Dirt Mile and four other stakes.
The spring stakes schedule kicks off April 24 with the $100,000 Page McKenney and the $100,000 Unique Bella for fillies and mares. June will see a trio of turf stakes with the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President’s Cup being contested on Father’s Day, June 18, and the Crowd Pleaser and the Power By Far on Monday, June 26.
After the summer break in August, the Pennsylvania breeding industry will take center stage when Parx hosts Pennsylvania day at the races Aug. 21. The day will showcase Pennsylvania-bred horses with seven stakes on the card. The stakes action continues Aug. 22 featuring the $200,000 Cathryn Sophia and the $300,000 Smarty Jones (G3). Both races serve as major preps for the Pennsylvania Derby and the Cotillion.
The late-fall, early-winter season brings three $200,000 stakes for 2-year-olds, including the Pennsylvania Nursery on Nov. 28 and the Wait for It and Miss Behaviour on Dec. 27.
Original source credit to horseracingnation.com
Cover photo credit to Sue Kawczynski/Eclipse Sportswire