Governor Rendell Announces Improvements to Horse and Harness Racing Administration

By Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

 HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 15 –”Thanks, in part, to the hard work of each of the commissions and their staffs, two of the new racetracks authorized in Act 71 are up and running and the third is under construction,” said Governor Rendell. “The Sire Stakes and Breeders Funds for both commissions are providing unprecedented support for the future of Pennsylvania’s equine industry, and the addition of gaming to racetracks is bringing more racing fans to the state than ever before.”

 Pennsylvania is home to three standardbred racetracks - the Meadows in Washington County, Pocono Downs in Luzerne County and Harrah’s Chester Downs in Delaware County - and three thoroughbred tracks - Philadelphia Park, Penn National in Dauphin County and Presque Isle Downs in Erie. A fourth harness track was recently licensed in Lawrence County.The reorganization does not affect the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory, which tests at random and for all winning racehorses to ensure that the horses are racing on their own ability and the skill of their jockeys and drivers.The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell’s initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.