Pennsylvania Derby

The Pennsylvania Derby is a race for thoroughbred horses run at Parx Racing and Casino (formerly known as Keystone Race Track, then from 1986 through 2010 as Philadelphia Park) each year. The track's premiere event is open to horses, age three, willing to race 1.125 miles (1.811 km) (9 furlongs) on the dirt and as of 2011, offers a purse of $1 million.

The Pennsylvania Derby began on Memorial Day in 1979 and achieved Graded status in 1981. From 1990 until 2009, with the exception of 2006 due to extensive renovations, the race was held on Labor Day; in 2004, it was elevated to a Grade II event. Starting in 2010, the race moved to the last Saturday of September in an attempt to get a stronger field preparing for the Breeders' Cup; the move to late September also made it possible to move away from another premier event, the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course in New York.

In 1991 Andrea Seefeldt became the first female jockey to win the Pennsylvania Derby and the following year Pam Shavelson became the first female trainer to win the race.

Parx Racing Graded Stakes Races

Stakes Race Grade Purse
Pennsylvania Derby II $1,000,000
Cotillion Stakes I $1,000,000