GRANTVILLE, Pa. -- Penn National Race Course will move its first-race post time from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in an effort to minimize the effects of the heat wave that is dominating the mid-Atlantic region.

"We did this last Saturday night and the extra hour from our regular 6 p.m. post time helped," said Mark Loewe, vice president of racing. "We will continue to monitor this on a daily basis in the best interests of the horses and jockeys."

The heat wave is expected to moderate early next week, with temperatures dropping back to seasonal readings in the 80s.

Loewe also announced that Penn National will add a special Tuesday night card on July 24, with a post time at 6 p.m. The track regularly runs every Wednesday through Saturday evening.