In Bucks County, Preparing For California Chrome's Huge Fan Club
By Brad Segall
BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) -- Bensalem police are gearing up for big crowds expected tomorrow as Parx Racing hosts the Pennsylvania Derby and this year's Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner.
For horse racing fans who couldn't make it to the Triple Crown races, this is like the Super Bowl. "California Chrome" will be the first Kentucky Derby winner to ever run in the $1-million Pennsylvania Derby, which is expected to draw as many as 30,000 people.
Bensalem public safety director Fred Harran says they've been in touch with Parx executives about how to deal with the crowds.
"They have it every year, but obviously they're expecting larger crowds with California Chrome coming in," he tells KYW Newsradio. "We'll be bringing in additional police and EMS to deal with anything that might arise. We're going to hopefully minimize the amount of traffic congestion as much as possible."
So, if you plan to travel the Street Road corridor during the day, pack your patience.
Harran declined to talk about the specifics of how his officers would be deployed.