PHILADELPHIA
PARK,
originally called KEYSTONE, opened in November of 1974. Purchased
in 1984 by ITB for $40 million, the racetrack received its new name,
a new turf course, and an exciting, innovative new way to wager called
PHONEBET.
In December
of 1990, the racetrack again changed hands. GREENWOOD RACING, INC.,
a corporation founded in 1989 by British bookmaking veterans Bob
Green and Bill Hogwood purchased the Bensalem, PA oval from ITB.
Full card simulcasting was added as well as five off-track locations
called TURF CLUBS. Race fans are able to watch and wager on the
best racing around the world and enjoy fine dining, day and night,
7 days a week.
In 1999, Philadelphia
Park Racetrack, Turf Clubs, and Phonebet handled over $501,000,000,
representing our best year ever. In addition, purses paid to horsemen,
including overnights, stakes, and breeder's awards were the highest
in the 25-year-old track's history.
Philadelphia
Park's commitment to superior service to its guests, already an
industry standard in its off-track and phone wagering business,
was given greater emphasis under Chief Executive Officer Hal Handel.
Formally Chief
Operating Officer of Racing at Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, Handel
introduced guest friendly programs such as an enhanced Player Tracking
System, free admission at all facilities, and a comprehensive guest
feedback system.
As
a companion to its high guest standard, Philadelphia Park Racetrack
received its first facelift in over a decade with refurbishment
and expansion of the walking righ and Paddock, and a complete painting
of the exterior of the Grandstand. In 1999, a second step was taken
in the renewal of the racetrack when a $4 million renovation of
the 69,000 square foot first floor was announced. Completed in May
of 1999, this area was transformed into a modern Turf Club, complete
with plush simulcast theaters, a brand new dining room, and sports
bar, a spacious horsemen's lounge, and a grand entrance of marble
and granite.
Greenwood Racing's
horizons widened in 1998 when it entered into a partnership with
Ontario Jockey Club, Ladbrokes USA, and International Investment
and Underwriting Limited to form The Racing Network. TRN is a subscriber
based, satellite distributed, 24-hour television network featuring
live racing from over 60 tracks on eight separate channels. TRN,
headed by Greenwood co-founder Hogwood, launched in April of 1998.
Late in 1998,
Greenwood joined with fellow Pennsylvania Corporation, Penn National
Gaming, in expanding into New Jersey with the purchase of Freehold
Raceway in Freehold and the operating lease of Garden State Park
in Cherry Hill. The new partnership, called Pennwood, is expected
to pursue off-track and account wagering in the Garden State.
Over the years,
such notable horses as Shuvee, Gallant Bob, My Juliet, Spectacular
Bid, Revidere, Summer Squall, and Broad Brush have found their way
to the winner's circle at Philadelphia Park.
Philadelphia
Park Racetrack is proud to be the home of Pennsylvania's premier
thoroughbred race, the $500,000 grade III Pennsylvania Derby. Held
on Labor Day, the Pennsylvania Derby is a nine-furlong race for
three year olds and has consistently attracted quality fields, large
crowds and record handles.
Over the past
few years, the Pennsylvania Derby has evolved into a three-day festival
at the racetrack. The festival last all of Labor Day weekend with
the culmination on Labor Day with the running of the Derby. Saturday
features a free family carnival with amusement rides, pony rides,
face painters, clowns and more. Sunday features the same carnival
complimented with an afternoon of free concerts in the picnic grove.
Monday caps off the action with the running of the Derby, a car
giveaway, local bands, the carnival plus a collection of giant inflatable
bounces, rock walls, slides and more.
The
first 10,000 guests to the racetrack on Pennsylvania Derby Day receive
a complimentary souvenir baseball cap to commemorate the day. The
cap features the Derby logo for the year and is complimented with
a Pennsylvania Derby line of merchandise.
|