An evenly matched group of eight fillies is set to face the starter in Saturday’s Penn Oaks at Penn National.
The Grade 2, $500,000 Penn Mile anchors a day with seven stakes and more than $1.5 million in total purses.
Forty-two horses are nominated to the Grade 2 Penn Mile, which anchors a seven-stake card at Penn National.
Mid-Atlantic handle rose in March versus the prior month, though the average was essentially flat.
Penn National, typically a nighttime track, will run daylight cards on four Saturdays this year: all three Triple Crown days, plus Penn Mile.
February’s Midlantic average handle was basically flat versus the prior month; Laurel Park led with an average over $2.1 million, while Parx’s increase of 9 percent was tops.
Bigger purses have changed the claiming game, presenting challenges – and opportunities – for both horsemen and racetracks.
January’s average handle in the mid-Atlantic region was basically flat versus December’s number, though all four operating tracks topped $1 million in average betting.
December’s average handle in the mid-Atlantic region was essentially flat versus November’s number.
With fewer tracks operating fewer days, November’s mid-Atlantic wagering handle fell versus the prior month, though the daily average was up.