Parx Turf Course Timeline Pushed Back; Grass Racing Now Targeted for Spring 2027
Horsemen hoping for the return of turf racing at Parx Racing will have to wait a little longer.
Track officials have confirmed that live racing on the newly reconstructed grass course is now expected to resume in the spring of 2027, rather than later this year. While the delay is disappointing for many owners and trainers who have long awaited the return of turf competition in Bensalem, progress on the project continues to move forward.
According to Parx, the foundation work for the new course has been completed, marking a significant milestone in the extensive renovation. The next phase calls for installing the irrigation system before the turf itself is planted. Once that work is finished, the course will require several months to establish a healthy root system capable of withstanding the demands of Thoroughbred racing.
The decision to postpone the reopening reflects a cautious approach designed to ensure the surface is fully mature before horses compete over it. Rather than rush the process and risk compromising the integrity of the course, officials opted to allow the grass additional time to develop under optimal growing conditions.
Parx has been without turf racing since 2024 after concerns over the condition of the previous course prompted management to undertake a complete reconstruction. Plans announced late in 2025 initially targeted a return during the second half of the 2026 season, but the scope of the project and the time required for proper establishment ultimately pushed that timetable into next year.
The extended timeline means the track’s 2026 racing schedule will continue to be conducted exclusively on the main dirt surface. Horsemen who typically point toward Parx’s turf program—including several stakes traditionally contested on the grass—will need to continue seeking opportunities at other Mid-Atlantic venues until the new course is ready.
Although the postponement represents another setback for local turf specialists, the long-term objective remains unchanged: deliver a safe, durable racing surface capable of supporting a full grass racing program for years to come. If construction and the turf’s maturation continue as planned, Parx expects to welcome Thoroughbreds back to the lawn when the 2027 spring meeting gets underway.
