Chester Downs has announced that it has received permission from the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission to amend its 2009 racing dates
. The original racing season was from April 5 through December 22. The new opening day has been moved back a week to Monday, April 13.
Additionally, effective May 22, Chester will conduct a five-day race week which includes Friday, augmenting the already-scheduled racing days of Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. This five-day race week will be continued for 20 weeks through Friday, October 2.
There will be a special Tuesday race card during the opening week on April 14 since there will be no racing on Easter Sunday.
Post time will be 5:00 p.m. each racing day with the exception of Sundays. The PHRC also granted permission for Chester to have a 1:15 p.m. first race post time on Sunday afternoons.
The 2009 racing season will end on Monday, November 23.
(Chester)