Penn National Racecourse has been operating for over 30 years and has become a major sporting and entertainment venue, with many dates in the racing calendar. The Racecourse provides high quality turf racing of thoroughbreds, on the highly-acclaimed course covering seven furlongs. To improve the atmosphere further racing from across the nation is provided through simulcasts every day. This gives visitors the choice of watching and wagering on live races across the country.
There is a full calendar of racing dates throughout the year including the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap and the Jenny Wade Handicap. The winner's prize for both races is $50,000. Since Penn National's establishment in the mid-1970s top jockeys such as Willie Shoemaker, Steve Cauthen, Angel Cordero, Jr. and Chris McCarron, have all ridden in races at the track.
The new Hollywood Casino was completed to complement the other facilities for patrons at the track. The Casino has a food court with four outlets, a sports bar and lounge, entertainment areas, and over 2,000 slot machines. A five-story garage with valet service parking is also available.
The Casino has been built on the site of the original grandstand which dates from the days when Penn National was owned by a group of local civic leaders, and the facilities could accommodate just over 10,000 visitors. Changes to allow Sunday racing, and moving races from Pitt Park to Penn National in the 1970s played a part in the early success of the Racecourse as a sporting venue.
