PENN Entertainment, owner of two Pennsylvania racetracks, on June 27 received regulatory approval to offer a cross-breed Pick-4 at the two tracks on Friday evenings in the summer.

The wager will be offered from July 14 through Aug. 25 at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. The Meadows begins its Friday programs at 5.10 p.m., while the first race at Penn National is scheduled for 6 p.m.

According to the request approved by the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, legs one and three will be held at Penn National, and legs two and four at The Meadows. The pari-mutuel takeout rate for the wager was not discussed at the meeting.

Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for PENN Entertainment, and Scott Lishia, director of racing at The Meadows, came up with the proposal, according to PHRC Standardbred bureau director Tony Salerno. “They wanted to try something different and see if they can get some cross-over interest,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity to expose each breed to fans on the other side,” said Penn National director of racing Eric Johnston, who noted the tracks are working with Daily Racing Form to provide the past-performance data package. “If we don’t try something new, we’re standing still.”

The Meadows also received PHRC approval to offer a Pick-8 that will have a mandatory payout on Adios Day, July 29. First post time for that program is 11;45 a.m.

In other business, Mike Zullinger, director of racing and sports book operations at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania, said handle year over year at the facility is up 12 percent. He also told the PHRC that horsemen are being offered overnight stays in the shipping barn if they make prior arrangements with staff.

The PHRC also approved a request from Pocono to move its Sept. 13 live racing date to Sept. 6, and its Sept. 18 program to Nov. 1, which will be the new final day of the 2023 meet.