Penn National Raises Purses 5% and Lowers Trifecta, Superfecta Takeouts to 25%

Penn National announced a 5% purse increase and a cut in trifecta and superfecta takeouts to 25% as it prepares to reopen for its 55th racing season beginning Feb. 19, 2026. The meet will run 105 live cards through Nov. 25 and is headlined by the Grade 3, $400,000 Penn Mile on May 29.

The boost raises the estimated average overnight purse schedule to $165,000, with maiden special weight races topping out at $36,000 and $39,000 for Pennsylvania-breds. The track framed the changes as moves to bolster purses and betting value for horsemen and players. Scott Lishia, Penn National's director of racing and sportsbook, said, “We are excited to resume live racing after our extended break with some positive changes.” He added, “We hope horsemen in the region will see a new enthusiasm as well as an excellent racing surface and look at Penn National as a strong option for their racing opportunities.”

From an industry standpoint, a 5% across-the-board purse increase is modest but strategic. An estimated $165,000 average overnight purse helps refresh the midweek market and could attract better regional stables into Pennsylvania-eligible spots, particularly with the slightly higher MSW top purse for state-breds. For owners and trainers balancing travel and book schedules, the promise of higher purses combined with a marquee May 29 Penn Mile gives Penn National a clearer recruiting pitch versus competing regional tracks.

For bettors, the change to 25% takeout on trifecta and superfecta pools directly improves payout potential on those wide-exacta style wagers. Penn National’s promotional mutuel table lists WPS at 17% with a $2 minimum, exacta 20% with a $1 minimum, trifecta 25% with a $0.50 minimum, and superfecta 25% with a $0.10 minimum. Other pools include Pick 3 and Pick 4 at 25%, Pick 5 at 20% with a $1 minimum and a 50% consolation/50% carryover split, and a Hollywood Hi 5 at 20% with a $0.20 minimum that requires a unique winning ticket and splits 60% consolation/40% carryover. Lower takeout on the big exotic pools typically nudges handle upward and increases handle elasticity for progressive bettors who chase larger payoffs.

Operationally the meet reintroduces live racing after what the release called the longest scheduled shutdown in the track’s history, noting the last live race was conducted Dec. 19. Penn National will race Thursday and Friday for the first four weeks, add Wednesdays starting March 18, pause for a four-week break in September, resume Oct. 7 and shift to a three-day-a-week slate through Nov. 25. Standard post time is 5:45 p.m. ET, with special first-post times on key dates: Kentucky Derby Day May 2 first race at 2:00 p.m., and May 29 and July 3 first posts at 5:00 p.m. The July 3 card will again feature novelty camel, ostrich and zebra races.

Contacts for media and racing inquiries were provided by Penn National, including Scott Lishia at scott.lishia@pennentertainment.com or (717) 469-3270, and simulcast manager David Koepp at david.koepp@pennentertainment.com. The announcement signals a pragmatic approach: modest purse growth to steady the horse population and targeted wagering concessions designed to energize bettors and increase on-track and off-track handle ahead of the Penn Mile and the summer promotional calendar.