On Monday, December 22, Sam Beegle, president of the PHHA, announced major additions to the 2015 stakes schedule at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

On Sunday, May 24, a new Open pace for colts and geldings named in honour of Jerry Taylor will join the Maxie Lee Open trot and Betsy Ross Open mares pace to round out a trio of invitationals. The purse for each race is $150,000.

Also new is the Liberty Bell series of early closers scheduled for September. Each of the eight races for Pennsylvania-sired horses carries a purse of $75,000 (estimated):

9/13 – 3YO C&G Pace
9/16 – 3YO Filly Pace
9/17 – 3YO Filly Trot
9/18 – 3YO C&G Trot
9/20 – 2YO Filly Pace
9/23 – 2YO Filly Trot
9/24 – 2YO C&G Pace
9/25 – 2YO C&G Trot

“With the addition of the Liberty Bell series, we hope to extend the excitement of prime summer racing well into September and provide new opportunities for Pennsylvania-sired horses,” said Beegle. “We’re also pleased to honour the memory of Jerry Taylor by adding his name to our May invitationals.”

Taylor, who passed away in 2013, was a Philadelphia attorney who raced at Liberty Bell Park and Brandywine Raceway for years. Among the many horses he owned was New Jersey Sire Stakes and Grand Circuit champion Devils Adversary. He is the father of prominent standardbred owner Howard Taylor.

Complete information will be available on the PHHA website, pahha.com.

(PHHA)