Corporate Name: Bensalem Racing Association, Inc. and Keystone Turf Club
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1000, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020-2096
Street Address: 2999 Street Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 (click for map)
Telephone: Office and Track: (215) 639-9000
Fax: Administration & Simulcasting: (215) 639-0337; Marketing & Publicity: (215) 639-8330
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.parxracing.com
With the Pennsylvania Derby clearly established as a final 3-year-old prep for Breeders’ Cup hopefuls – following the historic run of American Pharoah to Triple Crown glory three months earlier – there was optimism that Parx could lure the big horse to head the September 19 field. Ultimately a reluctant owner and the history of Saratoga won out and Pharoah ran in the Travers Stakes. As fate would have it, he would get beat that day and many observers felt that the reason he got beat was because of the persistent hounding of the big, grey colt named Frosted.
Frosted had battled Pharoah in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, running a creditable fourth and a terrific second in those two races respectively, and then pressured him on the front end throughout the Travers, giving the late running Keen Ice the opportunity to rally for the biggest win of his career. With the efforts Frosted had shown heading into the fall season, many considered the Grade I Wood winner to be the second best 3-year-old out there. Not bad when #1 is the horse that won the first Triple Crown in 37 years. And indeed it would be Frosted who showed up to headline the Grade II Pennsylvania Derby.
He ran brilliantly that sunny Saturday. Sitting mid-pack early on, jockey Joel Rosario got him in gear rounding the final turn. Powering to the lead as they turned for home, the strapping son of the great sire Tapit seemingly was just getting started when he flashed under the finish line, two lengths clear of Iron Fist. He was in full stride when he hit the wire, rolling home with the kind of power and beauty that make the sport such a pleasure to watch. Wearing the signature blue of Godolphin Racing, the win gave trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and Rosario their first wins in the track’s biggest race.
The Grade I Cotillion was won by Fletcher and Carolyn Grey’s I’m a Chatterbox. The lanky Munnings filly had come into the race with a tremendous season already under her belt, winning the Grade I Coaching Club American Oaks in July at Saratoga as well as graded wins in the Rachel Alexandra and Fair Grounds Oaks. She ran an almost identical trip to Frosted, fourth early, rallying to the lead coming off the final turn and pulling clear to a two length win. Her second Grade I victory put her in line as a leading Eclipse contender, where she would finish second in the voting to Stellar Wind.
Jockey Frankie Pennington proved to be the year’s top rider at Parx, winning his second consecutive riding championship and third of his career. His 123 wins in 2015 were 15 better than J.D. Acosta. Since 1996, when jockey statistics began being kept on a full year basis, he joined Stewart Elliott and Kendrick Carmouche as the only riders during the last 20 years to win three titles.
After winning his first training title in 2014 with 113 winners, Ramon Preciado had lofty expectations heading into 2015. When the dust settled at year’s end, his season would prove to be one of the best in the history of the racetrack. His total of 149 was the fourth best of all-time, eclipsed only by David Vance (172) in 1976 and Scott Lake who won 166 races in 2002 and 170 races in 2003. Not only did Preciado saddle the most winners, his win percentage of 32.2 was the best of anyone in the top 10.
More great names were added to the track’s growing Hall of Fame. The ill-fated Mr. Nickerson, multiple Grade I winner Jostle, and the incomparable Ben’s Cat were added to the list of standout horses now enshrined. The tremendously talented Kendrick Carmouche was the lone jockey to enter in 2015. He’s the only jockey in the history of the track to win four consecutive riding titles (2008-2011). Trainer Ed Lehman was the sole member to go in in his category, recognized for the excellence he has displayed here for so many years. Joseph Asbell and Plumstead Stables became Hall of Fame members in the owner category while the late John Pelino, current CEO Tony Ricci, and the indomitable Jack Servis now have plaques hanging in the notable contributors category.
Officers: Robert W. Green, Chairman; Anthony Ricci, Chief Executive Officer; Joseph Wilson, Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer: Bryan Bartlett
Director of Racing: Samuel Elliott
Vice President of Food and Beverage: Ronald Tridente
Director of Facilities: John Kaub
Director of Phonebet and Player Services: Kimberly Smith
Director of Simulcasting: Merce Duffy
Director of Public Relations and Announcer: Keith Jones
Track Photographer: Equiphoto
Location: Located between I-95 and Rte. 1, Exit 28 off the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Nearest City: Philadelphia, Metropolitan Population 4.7 million
Nearest Airports: Philadelphia International, 22 miles; Northeast (private), 3 miles
Track Data: Main track: 1 mile, sand, clay and loam, with 7-furlong and 1¼-mile chutes; length of stretch to first turn is 313 ft; width of home stretch and backstretch is 80 ft; turf course: 7/8-mile oval with 11/8-mile chute; 1,400 stalls; 417 acres of property
Seating Accommodations: 2,500 seats; Turfside Terrace Restaurant, Turfside Terrace Bar, Finish Line Deli, Finish Line Bar
Price of Admission: Complimentary admission every day; children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult