by Ed Kobesky, Director of Media & Marketing, Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association

Chester, PA — Sam Beegle, president of the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen’s Association, today announced major additions to the 2015 stakes schedule at Harrah’s Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack.

On Sunday (May 24), a new Open Pace for colts and geldings, named in honor 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 an estimated purse of $75,000.

The schedule is as follows:

9/13–3-year-old colt and gelding pace
9/16–3-year-old filly pace
9/17–3-year-old filly trot
9/18–3-year-old colt and gelding trot
9/20–2-year-old filly pace
9/23–2-year-old filly trot
9/24–2-year-old colt and gelding pace
9/25–2-year-old colt and gelding 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 honor 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 Devil’s Adversary. He is the father of prominent Standardbred owner Howard Taylor.

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