Originating as Keystone Racetrack in 1974, today's Parx Racing has changed hands and evolved as a racing and wagering venue for more than 45 years. Though its name and ownership have changed over time, the one thing that has remained the same is the outstanding quality of racing events and winners that have called Parx home.
Few tracks can boast having a Grade I horserace, but Parx hosts two of these events annually. The Pennsylvania Derby is a Labor Day race with a $1 million guaranteed purse. It is considered the premier horserace of the Keystone State. Parx also hosts the Fitz Eugene Dixon Cotillion Handicap, which also has a $1 million purse race. It is traditionally held on the first Saturday of October.
One of the most astonishing things about Parx Racing is the nearby casino, the largest in Pennsylvania. It's the largest in terms of pure space, with 150,000 square feet available for gaming, but also the largest in terms of the games. Open 24 hours, the casino boasts 3,200 slot machines, 188 table games, and 48 poker tables. There is also simulcasting for OTB (off-track betting) along with betting on sports events. Parx launched its own online betting app in 2019. The complex hosts more than a dozen different restaurants and clubs.
Also attached is the Xcite Center, an event venue of over 32,000 square feet that seats over 1,500 people. Opened in 2018, the Xcite Center hosts a variety of entertainment events, including boxing and MMA matches, comedy acts, and musical groups. The development of Parx Racing and the casino continues to expand.