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After sleeping in till a comfortable hour, get on I-95 until you see a billboard for something enticing, let’s say: Parx Racetrack.

The trick is to not crash your car when you’re taking a picture of an awesome vanity plate:

Now, if you’re a true PA Racing fan, you’ll know by heart which tracks are running every day of the week. Today’s Wednesday?

• Penn Nat’l? 6PM.
• Pocono Downs? 6:30PM.
• Meadows? 6:55PM.
• Harrah’s Chester? 12:40PM.
• And, of course, Parx at 12:25PM. 

No one at the track gives a damn if your jacket’s covered in dog hair (which mine was). Dress comfortably and warmly. It’s perfect hoodie and boots weather. Chicks can rock boots, too. 

Personally, I enjoy listening to jazz music at full blast while at the track. Makes everything seem like a Woody Allen movie. Although, you do end up looking like this:

Remember: It’s okay if by yourself, as the track is the perfect hangout for people playing hookie. It’s like the 7-11 parking lot behind your old high school, but much more fun and you don't need Kevin's older brother to buy you beer.

If you’re more of the gregarious type, feel free to chat up a jockey when they’re coming off the track. You’d be amazed at how calm and collected they are after being in such a high-adrenaline situation. Here are some pics I snapped of jockeys Eriluis Vaz and Kristina McManigell (who, was rated in the 10 hottest female jockeys by BleacherReport). 

There's always good conversations popping up at the track. I heard a triumphant female trainer proclaim: “When your energy is good and you’re feeling positive, everything will be right.” I turned and said “Amen,” but she didn’t hear me. I said it again, but too much time had passed and I looked like I was just preaching for no reason.

Bet lightly on every race. You're bound to see a great one and get swept up into the energy of it all. We here at TrackPackPA wish you the best of luck, and hope you spend all your sick days with us. We'll leave you with a video of me practicing my "Yips!" 

Breeders' Cup action starts at 4PM on Friday, so duck out of work during you're lunch break and join in on our live-tweeting of all the action! 

Upon preparing a racetrip for Parx Racetrack, we discovered something interesting... Philadelphia has an underground horse scene! Sorry, it’s not horses with mohawks and crappy garage bands- but instead it's a full on community with tons of activities for horse lovers! In fact, there's no laws against parking your horse in the city! Who said you can't have your cake and eat it too?! Now if I can just figure out how to start a horse-only garage band…

Fairmount Park (pictured below) features a plethora of horse-friendly trails and sections. Wissahickon Valley Park alone has 57 miles of lush trails to explore (not to mention the now infamous ‘Devil’s Pool’). There are several stables and boarding centers located within the general area.

Monastery Stables
Deep within Wissahickon Valley’s vast network of trails, hidden much like a reverse-mirage, one can find the historic Monastery Stables. With six serene acres of lush foilage, you’ll feel much farther than only 10 miles away from Center City. The 1747-built Monastery features 22 stalls and spacious mowed fields are perfect for relaxing and grazing (human and horse alike). For lessons or just visiting in general, calling ahead is advised.

Philadelphia Saddle Club
Calling Monastery Stables home, the Philly Saddle Club have 1,800-acres of terrain at their disposal. An experienced rider is preferred, as it’s a group-effort to care and stable the horses. Interesting fact: club members range from 32 to 90 years of age. You can never be too old to make new friends!

Chamounix Equestrian Center
From spring to fall, horseback riding lessons are available at the Chamounix Equestrian Center in beautiful West Fairmount Park. The center also hosts the Work to Ride program, which provides low-income youth an opportunity to ride, care for, and play with the horses! Some even join the polo team!

Pennypack Park
Known as the cousin to the Wissahickon, Pennypack’s expansive 1,395 acres are a welcomed refuge to the city’s outdoorsy types! By bike, blade, foot or hoof- get out there and traverse the paved and unpaved trails! Keep your eyes peeled for Fox Chase Farm, one of the only fully-functioning city farms remaining!

If riding's not your style, or if your just looking for something at a faster pace, head to to the one and only Parx Racetrack for world-class thoroughbred racing. They've got plenty of special events, entertainment and restaurants and are located just minutes away from the city! 

PS: If you still think this is a bunch of cowpies and I'm pulling your leg- check out this segment on the venerable This American Life: