Penn National horsemen hope to run soon

Dynatail winning the 2017 Penn Oaks. Photo by The Racing Biz.
The long wait in Grantville may be coming to an end soon.
Pennsylvania’s racetracks have been dark since mid-March, a stretch during which horsemen have been without incomes even as expenses mounted.
But in a statement tweeted out June 6, Pennsylvania Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) executive director Todd Mostoller said he expects racing to resume at Penn National — one of three Thoroughbred tracks that races during the summer in the Keystone State — to resume within two weeks.
“We expect approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Health [of proposed COVID-19 protocols to be employed at the track], which will allow racing to resume at Penn National on Friday, June 19th,” Mostoller wrote.
If that occurs, it will mean the track misses just about exactly three months of racing. Among the casualties have been the Grade 2 Penn Mile, the biggest race contested at the track.
According to the statement, gate schooling at Penn National will resume Tuesday, June 9 and will take place on a Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday schedule. Horses ready to come off the vet’s list can work the week of June 8 for clearance.
An update for horsemen at @HollywoodPenn… pic.twitter.com/q5bdVWX3aw
— Pa HBPA (@PA_HBPA) June 6, 2020
LATEST BUSINESS NEWS
Wagering handle up slightly in May
Wagering handle rose slightly in May versus May 2024, though for the year to date it continues to trail last year.
Fair Hill to get new Tapeta surface
Maryland’s Fair Hill Training Center will replace its 7-furlong Tapeta Footings track this summer, with the company’s newest iteration, Tapeta 13.
Penn National, Delaware to postpone turf stakes
Penn National will delay its Penn Mile card stakes, while Delaware Park will postpone the Cape Henlopen in the face of persistent rains.
De Francis Dash purse gets boost
The De Francis Dash and three other stakes contested on the same day will receive $25,000 purse bumps, the Maryland Jockey Club announced.
PA-bred Like a Saltshaker is Claiming Crown honoree
Like a Saltshaker’s thrilling win in last fall’s Claiming Crown Rapid Transit has earned him Claiming Crown Horse of the Year honors.
Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon hit with 60-day suspension
Trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon has been hit by HIWU, HISA’s drug-testing partner, with a 60-day suspension for three violations in two years.