Harrah's Chester announces 2010 stakes schedule

Nearly $5 million will be on the line in stakes purses at Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack for the upcoming 2010 season, which offers once again a powerhouse stakes program.

 

The centerpiece of the meet is Super Stakes Sunday III, scheduled this year for Aug. 22.  The 34th renewal of the Battle of the Brandywine (3-year-old open pace,  purse $500,000), the 40th edition of the Colonial (3-year-old open trot, $500,000), and the fourth edition of the Valley Forge (3-year-old filly pace, $350,000) will share top billing on the star-studded program, with rich consolation divisions of each race also on the card. Top free-for-all pacers will square off in the $500,000 fourth edition of the Ben Franklin on Sunday, July 18, with eliminations to be held one week prior.

 

The Maxie Lee Memorial for free-for-all trotters and the Betsy Ross for pacing mares will each be held in 2010 as an invitational event, each carrying a purse of $100,000. The Betsy Ross is schedule for Sunday, July 4, while the Maxie Lee will be held on Sunday, July 25. Additionally, Harrah's Chester will play host to Pennsylvania Sire Stakes preliminary events from May through August, culminating on Sunday, Sept. 5, with a quartet of 2-year-old Pennsylvania Sire Stakes finals, each with a purse of $150,000.

 

The 2010 season is slated to kick off on Friday, April 23. (Harrah's Chester)