Penn Mile anchors Penn National's 2013 stakes schedule

The brand new $500,000 Penn Mile for three-year-olds on the

turf, which will be run June 1, represents the biggest purse ever

offered at at Penn National Race Course and highlights an open

stakes program split among two big days.

"We are extremely excited to offer an opportunity for some

of the best three-year-olds to showcase their ability on our turf course in the

inaugural Penn Mile," said Dan Silver, director of racing operations at

Penn National. "It is a good spot on the

calendar to offer a premier turf mile race for three-year-olds, and along with the Mountainview

Handicap and Pennsylvania Governor's Cup it will create a highly anticipated day

of racing."

The Penn Mile anchors a June 1 card that will also feature

the $250,000 Mountainview Handicap for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the

main track and the $150,000 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup for three-year-olds and up

going five furlongs on the turf.

This year marked the first running of the Mountainview Handicap,

which had a $175,000 purse and was captured by Grade 1 winner Toby's Corner. The

Pennsylvania Governor's Cup has been run every year since 1973, the first full

year of racing at Penn National.

The second running of the $250,000 Fabulous Strike Handicap

for three-year-olds and up going six furlongs will be contested on Thanksgiving Eve,

November 27. Run this year for a $200,000 purse, the race attracted a

number of top sprinters and was won by Ben's Cat for legendary trainer King Leatherbury.

Also scheduled for the robust November 27 card will be the

$150,000 Swatara for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles and the inaugural

running of the $150,000 Lady in Waiting for fillies and mares going six

furlongs.

"This past Thanksgiving Eve we had a very strong card

highlighted by the largest Pick 4 pool in the 40-year history of the track,"

Silver said. "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."

The 2013 schedule for Penn National stakes races restricted

to Pennsylvania-bred horses will be announced at a later date.

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