Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolf said today’s grand opening of a new harness track in Pennsylvania – the Chester casino and racetrack at Harrer in Chester – marks a big step forward in the state’s agricultural industry and economy.
“The harness horse racing industry in Pennsylvania is a very important part of agriculture and the state’s economy,” said Wolf. “The new facility is designed with both jockeys and spectators in mind, giving fans more opportunities to learn about the live experience and industry at hand.”
The facility will bring more than 900 new jobs to the area, including drivers, trainers, security, maintenance, and other non-race positions. The harness horsemen will also benefit, with a projected $200,000 a day in purse spending, putting Chester on top of North American racetracks.
Besides Pennsylvania’s two existing harness tracks, The Meadows in Pocono Downs and The Mohegan Sun, races are held at 14 county and community fairs in the state. Pennsylvania is also home to the Hanover Shoe Farms, the world’s largest breed of horse breeder. Hanover has been a nationwide leader in harness racing since record keeping began in the 1950s.
Pennsylvania hosts the world’s largest standard breed horse sale at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. Over the past two years, each has sold more than $50 million in total.
“Pennsylvania has always been a great state to breed and race horses,” said Wolf. “With the addition of games and state-of-the-art racing facilities, we will see a lot more interest in racing, and it will benefit all Pennsylvanians.” 스포츠토토
The Department of Agriculture’s Harness Racing Board regulates all aspects of standard breed racing and Paris mutual betting at all facilities and off-track facilities across the state.