Pennsylvania Derby and Fitz Dixon Cotillion
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. He is a member of the track's Hall of Fame, inducted with the inaugural class in September 2011.
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.
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Famous quotes containing the word pennsylvania:
“The Republican Party does not perceive how many his failure will make to vote more correctly than they would have them. They have counted the votes of Pennsylvania & Co., but they have not correctly counted Captain Brown’s vote. He has taken the wind out of their sails,—the little wind they had,—and they may as well lie to and repair.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)