Penn National announces new stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Grantville, PA (Sports Network) - Grass running 3-year-olds will have a brand new stakes next year at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. The central Pennsylvania track will conduct the $500,000 Penn Mile on June 1.

"We are extremely excited to offer an opportunity for some of the best 3-year- olds in the country to showcase their ability on our turf course in the inaugural Penn Mile," said Dan Silver, director of racing operations at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. "It is a good spot on the calendar to offer a premier turf mile race for 3-year-olds."

The Penn Mile is part of an ambitious stakes program at Penn National announced Tuesday.

The June 1 card will include, along with the $500,000 Penn Mile, the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap at 1 1/8-miles on the main track for 3-year-olds and up and the five-furlong $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup for 3-year-olds and up on the turf.

Thanksgiving Eve at Penn National will feature three stakes worth a total of $550,000. The six-furlong $250,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap for 3-year-olds and up will be joined by the $150,000 Swatara for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16-miles and the inaugural running of the $150,000 Lady in Waiting for fillies and mares over six-furlongs.

"The inaugural Fabulous Strike was the second most wagered on race in Penn National history, and we are looking forward to building on that success with an enhanced purse," Silver noted.

The Fabulous Strike Handicap is receiving a $50,000 purse increase and the Mountainview Handicap gains a rise of $75,000.