Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course will conduct 146 days of racing in 2011,
the same number that was scheduled for this year after the Maryland Jockey Club
and its owners, MI Developments and Penn National Gaming, worked out an
agreement with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) and
Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) at a Wednesday morning meeting in
Annapolis with Governor Martin O’Malley.
The plan is expected to be approved by the Maryland Racing Commission Monday
afternoon.
“This is a good day for the entire industry,” Maryland Jockey Club president
Tom Chuckas said. “I would like to personally thank Governor O’Malley and chief
legislative officer Joe Bryce for their support during this process. This
discussion provides a foundation for continuing efforts to create a long-term
solution to restoring Maryland racing to prominence.”
The Maryland Jockey Club will conduct a winter meeting at Laurel, a spring
campaign at Pimlico and a fall meeting at Laurel. There will be no live racing
at the major Maryland tracks during the summer.
The Bowie training center will remain open for year-round training.
The Laurel winter stand will begin January 1 with live racing taking place
four days a week on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule (with holiday
exceptions). The 49-day meet will end March 26.
Racing will then shift to Pimlico for the spring meeting, which will be
highlighted by the 136th running of the $1,000,000 Preakness S. (G1), the middle
jewel of the Triple Crown, which is set for May 21. Preakness day will be the
final day of the meet for the 29-day stand, which will begin April 1.
After a 15-week break, which will include seven live days of racing at
Timonium during the State Fair, live racing will return to the major tracks on
the Saturday after Labor Day. Racing will take place from September 10 through
December 17, four days a week in September (Wednesday through Saturday) and five
days a week in October, November and December (Tuesday through Saturday).
The first condition book for the Laurel winter meet will be available on
www.laurelpark.com and
www.equibase.com until they can be printed
next week. Copies will also be available at the Laurel and Bowie stable gates.