from Harrah’s Chester

Chester, PA — Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack has been awarded 150 live racing days for its 2009 season, track officials have announced.

The Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission approved the venue’s dates request at its September 25 meeting. Harrah’s Chester currently is in the midst of a 140-day season that will end on Wednesday, December 17.

Under the schedule filed with the state, the Chester meet will commence Sunday, April 5, and continue through Tuesday, December 22. Racing will be conducted on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays through November 19, and on Sundays through Wednesdays thereafter. There will be no racing on Easter Sunday, April 12, and Wednesday, November 25. Live racing will take place on Tuesday, April 14.

First post throughout the meet will be 5:00 p.m. (ET), a starting time made possible by the installation of lights at the Chester oval. Plans call for the lighting project to begin immediately following the conclusion of the current live meet.

“It’s a schedule that should provide plenty of opportunities to horsemen and horseplayers alike,” said Mike Tanner, Harrah’s Chester’s Director of Racing Operations, “and we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback about the lights and the later post time. We’re looking forward to big things in 2009.”