When Parx returns to racing Saturday, September 3rd, the track will move immediately into the heart of its stakes schedule. Opening the Labor Day weekend will be the 16th edition of Pennsylvania’s Day at the Races, a day designed to celebrate the Breeding industry here in the Commonwealth and gather some of the state’s top racing talent to compete on the same day. The card that day will feature five $100,000 stakes for Pennsylvania-breds along with the first running of a stake recently added by Director of Racing Sam Elliott, the $150,000 Princess of Sylmar Stakes for three year-old fillies. The new stake is expected to attract Cathryn Sophia, the star of the John Servis barn. The Street Boss filly won the prestigious G1 Kentucky Oaks back in May and will be looking to make her final preparations for a start in the $1 million G1 Cotillion Stakes on September 24th. If all goes according to plan, she’ll face one of racing’s biggest stars, Songbird. The seemingly invincible filly was last year’s two year-old filly champion, has won all ten career starts, all by wide margin and is coming off another stellar performance at Saratoga in the G1 Alabama. She’ll use the Cotillion as a final stepping stone to the Breeders Cup Championships in early November.

Here’s a look at the other stakes set for PA’s Day at the Races:

$100,000 Mrs. Penny Stakes, Fillies & Mares 3 and up, 1 1/16th miles on the turf $100,000 Marshall Jenney Stakes, 3 and up, 5 furlongs on the turf $100,000 Roanoke Stakes, 3 and up, 1 1/16th miles $100,000 Banjo Picker Stakes, 3 and up, 6 furlongs $100,000 Dr. Teresa Garofalo Memorial Stakes, 3YO fillies, 7 furlongs

Labor Day, Monday the 5th brings some of the track’s premier races of the year. The $300,000 G3 Smarty Jones Stakes is the track’s local prep for the G2 Pennsylvania Derby where some prominent 3YO’s will be looking to run well and earn themselves a shot at the $1 million prize on September 24th. The $300,000 G3 Turf Monster Handicap at five furlongs on the turf has stamped itself as one of the top grass sprints in the country. Last year, Mongolian Saturday got beaten by the narrowest of noses in the Turf Monster and then went on to win the Breeders Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. This year’s field should again feature some of the fastest turf horses in the country. The $200,000 G3 Greenwood Cup is the track’s premier long distance race of the year. Run at a mile and a half on the main track, it’s a race that’s both grueling and tactical and has produced a number of dramatic finishes already in its brief history. The last of the major races on Labor Day is the $200,000 Turf Amazon. It’s the track’s biggest race of the year for lady turf sprinters and is another race that has established itself for its quality and competitiveness.

Labor Day also brings a number of additional festivities for the racing fans. While supplies last, fans coming in will receive a free, handsome messenger bag. The picnic grove will be alive with free family fun from 12-5 and live music from 12-4. The free family fun includes pony rides, moon bounces, face painting and more while the band, Fast lane, will provide the musical entertainment. Gates open at 11AM with the first race Labor Day set for 12:55PM.