Parx Turf Course Renovation Underway

Four-week project aims to upgrade Philadelphia-area racetrack's grass racing surface

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:51pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic energy and motion of a horse race on a turf course, with fragmented shapes and planes of green, brown, and silhouetted figures.Parx Racing's upcoming turf course renovation aims to elevate the quality and excitement of grass racing at the Philadelphia-area track.Manheim Today

Parx Racing has begun a four-week renovation of its turf course, with the installation of new sod provided by Tuckahoe Farms and overseen by turf management expert Logan Freeman. The project is a collaborative effort between Parx and the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to enhance the racetrack's racing surfaces and offerings for horsemen.

Why it matters

Parx is one of the premier racetracks in Pennsylvania, hosting major stakes races throughout the year. The turf course renovation will allow the track to offer high-quality grass racing, which is an important part of the overall racing product for horsemen and fans alike.

The details

The turf renovation began on April 8 and is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete. Tuckahoe Farms in New Jersey is providing the new sod, which is being installed by Hummer Turfgrass Systems. Logan Freeman of C6 Turf Management, who has worked on courses at Laurel, Pimlico, and Gulfstream Park, is overseeing the project.

  • The turf renovation began on April 8, 2026.
  • The project is expected to take around four weeks to complete.

The players

Parx Racing

A premier racetrack located in the Philadelphia area that hosts major stakes races throughout the year.

Logan Freeman

An expert in turf management who has overseen course work at other prominent racetracks like Laurel, Pimlico, and Gulfstream Park.

Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA)

The organization representing thoroughbred horsemen in Pennsylvania, collaborating with Parx on the turf renovation project.

Tuckahoe Farms

A farm in Hammonton, New Jersey that is providing the new sod for the Parx turf course renovation.

Hummer Turfgrass Systems, Inc.

A Pennsylvania-based company installing the new sod for the Parx turf course renovation.

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What they’re saying

“We want to thank the horsemen and women for their collaboration and patience as we begin the process of renovating the turf course. We expect this course will be held to the highest safety standards and we are looking forward to the return of turf racing here at Parx.”

— Joe Wilson, Parx Chief Operating Officer

“Our horsemen deserve this, Pennsylvania Racing deserves this. We are very much looking forward to this joint venture with Parx Racing Management giving us the ability to offer multiple racing surfaces to our horsemen, on top of the great programs already in place here at the PTHA.”

— Jeff Matty, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman's Association (PTHA)

“We are really looking forward to being able to card turf races again starting this fall and renewing top-quality turf racing at Parx.”

— David Osojnak, Director of Racing at Parx

What’s next

Parx plans to resume turf racing at the track this fall once the renovation is complete.

The takeaway

The Parx turf course renovation is a collaborative effort between the racetrack and the state's horsemen to enhance the racing surfaces and offerings for horsemen and fans. The upgraded turf course will allow Parx to host high-quality grass racing events starting this fall.