That hint of warmer weather and longer daylight hours can mean….baseball season? Definitely! But more importantly, it means the return of harness racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia!
The 2025 season is set to open with a special twilight card on Friday, April 11 with a 6:30pm post, and track announcer Mike Bozich is experiencing all the feels. “It’s always exciting,” he said enthusiastically. “Around this time of year, when you haven’t been doing it for a while, it’s always exciting to get back in the groove. It reminds me of when my dad used to take me to the races when I was a little kid. I couldn’t wait to go. I couldn’t WAIT to go! Here I am, almost 50 years old, and I feel the same way. I can’t wait to go! When you love your job, you can’t get enough of it. I’m definitely excited, and there’s still those little butterflies in the stomach when this time of year comes.”
The track opened on September 10, 2006, and Mike has been calling the races at Harrah’s since 2014. Over the years, the best of the best trotters and pacers have thundered over the Harrah’s surface, with an exceptional driver colony handling the equine superstars. Fans can expect to see Tim Tetrick, George Napolitano Jr., David Miller, Anthony Morgan, Todd McCarthy, Andrew McCarthy, and many more of the top drivers back again this season.
The horses are definitely the superstars, though, and Mike looks forward to each and every race, no matter the race condition. “The way I feel is, no matter if it’s a $10k claimer, or if they’re going for $500,000, every race is somebody’s Derby. I’m looking forward to all the equine athletes. I try to put just as much emphasis on each race, each one the same as the other.”
The night card for opening day is something Mike, the whole racing staff and the horsemen are excited about. “It gives it a special ambience, especially if the weather holds out. It’s different, because we’re used to racing during the day, and this gives it such a cool atmosphere.”
In addition to the racing under the lights, there will be food and drink specials on the patio, and a DJ to keep the party going during the night.
Photo Credit to Grace Zimmers
Stakes season kicks off with Super Sunday on May 25th. With the $100,000 Betsy Ross Invitational Mares Pace, $100,000 Maxie Lee Memorial Trot, and $100,000 Joseph Auger Memorial Pace highlighting the stellar day, Mike anticipates it will live up to the hype once again. “They put on a show, and it’s a good time of year, because it’s really when the stakes season officially gets going. There’s not a whole lot of competition for those races, the free-for-allers, the good trotters, the older pacing mares. We really are able to get the best of the best there for that, and a lot of times, they’re getting their season started, and it’s a great weekend. You kind of get to see where these horses are going to go, and how they’re kind of planning their season, and their racing calendar, so to speak. They love to race at Harrah’s. It’s a fast track! And it’s conveniently located. It’s just a fun weekend.”
Harrah’s Philadelphia will race three days a week, Thursday, Friday (12:25 post) and Sunday, (12:40 post), with a few additional night cards scheduled in addition to opening night. There’s fun events planned for special holidays, too. Mother’s Day at the track will feature an Elvis Tribute on the patio, and of course, dads are not forgotten! A DJ spinning oldies tracks from the 50’s and 60’s will be featured on Father’s Day. A huge Kentucky Derby party is also set for May 3 with music, drink specials, and more.
For those diehard fans already planning their entire season, Mike suggests a few race days at a particularly festive time of year. “I know it’s a long way off, but a couple of race cards that we’ve really had success with over the last couple of years are the Christmas Eve card and our New Year’s Eve card. On those days, there’s not a whole lot of competition, we’re one of the only harness tracks going on those days, so there’s a lot of eyes on our track. It’s been great for us!”
Friday, September 5th will also be a tremendous day of racing with the $1.4 Million PA Sire Stakes Championships for the two-year-old stars of tomorrow.
Photo Credit to Mike Bozich
The ‘patio beer garden’ atmosphere under the stars and the daytime sunshine bring out the fans, some that have never experienced harness racing before, and some that never miss a season at their favorite track. Mike has spotted many ‘regulars’ over the years. “That’s one of the things I’ve noticed throughout my career, not only at Harrah’s Philly, but everywhere. There’s people here, and even though they may not be involved in the business, from a working standpoint, or an ownership standpoint, but just from a fan or a gambling standpoint, that are excited for the season. And excited to be at the track.”
While Mike is anticipating opening night, there MIGHT be a slight monkey wrench thrown in his schedule of taking his place in the Announcer’s Booth and calling the races. His fiancée Cindy is due to deliver their son. On opening day! It’s safe to say that the expectant father and his son Ben (Dad’s biggest fan!) are both hyped for the new addition, but a bit nervous that the baby will cross the finish line as the first race goes to the gate! Fingers crossed for a safe delivery for Evan Michael, and for his dad to be at the track with binoculars in hand to kick off the new season!
Live Horse Racing – Harrah’s Philadelphia Racetrack
Stakes Races — The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association
Cover Photo Credit to Grace Zimmers
English
Spanish