Penn National Kicks Off 55th Season with Purse Increase, Takeout Reductions
At 0h02, on February 13, 2026 • By Penn National Racecourse
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course will commence it’s 55th racing season on February 19th with the first of a scheduled 105 Thoroughbred cards that will run through November 25th.
Coming off the longest scheduled shutdown in the track’s history (the last live race was conducted December 19, 2025 – 60 days ago) the 2026 race meet will once again be highlighted by the 13th edition of the $400,000 Grade 3 Penn Mile on May 29. Racing will be conducted on a Thursday, Friday basis for the first four weeks of the meet, with Wednesdays being added starting March 18th. Racing will continue that schedule until a four-week break in September, with a restart on October 7th and a three-day a week racing schedule until closing out the season on Thanksgiving eve, November 25th.
Post time will be 5:45 p.m. (EST) each racing night except for a 2 p.m. first race on Kentucky Derby Day (May 2) and a 5 p.m. post time for Penn Mile night and the popular Camel, Ostrich and Zebra races on July 3.
Two positive changes will also kick-off the 2026 racing season – for horsemen, a 5.0% purse increase bringing the estimated average overnight purse schedule to $165,000, with Maiden Special Weight races topping out at $36,000 ($39,000 PA Breds). For the wagering public, takeout rates for Trifecta and Superfecta wagering have been reduced to 25.0% each.
“We are excited to resume live racing after our extended break with some positive changes,” said Scott Lishia, Director of Racing & Sportsbook at Penn National, “We hope horsemen in the region will see a new enthusiasm as well as an excellent racing surface and look at Penn National as a strong option for their racing opportunities.”
