Penn Mile Diaries: Pennsylvania’s Hidden Gem

June 4th, 2017 by Penelope Miller

Fans packed the track apron at Penn National for an exciting day of racing, topped by Frostmourne’s win in the Penn Mile. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

I love visiting new tracks for the first time: it’s an adventure, and I adore finding a new place to explore and mark off my checklist.

I was invited to this year’s Penn Mile Stakes at Penn National by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, and I was eager to make my inaugural voyage to the Keystone State’s hidden gem of a racetrack. I boarded an Amtrak in Penn Station, and a little less than three hours later I arrived in Harrisburg. A quick Lyft ride from the state capital brought me to Penn National, nestled under the Blue Mountains to create an oasis of racing.

In the slideshow below, I’ll walk you through my afternoon on Penn Mile day. I hope you consider a trip there in the future – it just takes one visit to fall in love!

I arrived a few hours before the Penn Mile day races began, which afforded me a little time to take in the beauty of Penn National. Between the mountains, the red barns, and the pristine turf course, I was blown away by the track’s beauty. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

The paddock at Penn National is another must-visit destination; the area where the horses parade before each race is scenic, beautifully landscaped, and surrounded by tiered viewing areas affording fans lots of places to watch the runners. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Seriously, the paddock quickly became my favorite spot at the track. Penn National’s saddling area is just beautiful, and fans flocked there to admire the horses before each race. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

People arrived in droves for Penn Mile day, with groups of friends gathering to enjoy the perfect early-summer weather, a few drinks, and a great day of playing the ponies. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

I glimpsed some of the stunning trophies being awarded to the winners of the six stakes races (AKA the high-profile contests worth lots of money.) The etched glass winked in the afternoon light, and I knew there would be some happy owners that afternoon! (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

As the afternoon heated up, so did the crowd. It seemed like the finish to each race was a thriller, and fans cheered home their horses with each battle to the wire. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Jockey Javier Castellano, who will be inducted into horse racing’s Hall of Fame this year, dominated the early part of the program, riding home winner after winner. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Penn Mile fans showed their appreciation for Javier with cheers and applause every time he won, and he returned the favor by signing autographs and posing for photos with everyone who asked. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

The afternoon flew by, and before I knew it, it was time for the headliner of the day: the Penn Mile. With $500,000 on the line, some of the top turf runners in the nation had assembled at Penn National for the Mile. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Fans studied their programs, trying to determine the winner of the Penn Mile as the contenders paraded around the paddock before the race. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

I was smitten with Time To Travel; after studying the program, I thought he was sitting on a big race… plus, I’m a total sucker for a gray. They’re just so pretty! (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

#4 Big Score and #8 Frostmourne were the two favorites for the Penn Mile, and both horses looked magnificent as they paraded for fans in the paddock. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Then the jockeys emerged in a torrent of bright silk colors and made their way to their horses, which meant one thing: it was almost time for the Penn Mile! (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

As I made my way to the track, fans were pressed up against the fence lining the grandstand apron, making sure that they had the best possible view of the turf course before the Penn Mile began. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

People were laughing and smiling, clearly anticipating the biggest race of the day. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

And finally, it was time for the Penn Mile. With a clang of bells, the race began with my pick Time To Travel leading the field toward the first turn. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

But after a lap around the track, Frostmourne delighted his backers (and World of Warcraft fans) by winning the Penn Mile with aplomb under jockey Irad Ortiz. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Ortiz was clearly delighted by the win, and lifted his face to the heavens to give thanks for a safe and successful trip under the golden setting sun of the Pennsylvania evening. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

Then, it was time for the trophy presentations. Frostmourne’s connections gathered in the winner’s circle to accept their trophies, bringing an end to a spectacular afternoon at Penn National. (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)

With that, my first Penn Mile was behind me. I am so glad that I took my inaugural journey to Penn National for the afternoon, and I can’t wait to go back soon. I hope to see you there! (Penelope P. Miller/America's Best Racing)