The 2011 Laurel Park winter meeting will feature 15 stakes races, worth a
total of $1,275,000, after the Maryland Jockey Club, Maryland Thoroughbred
Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Horse Breeders Association agreed to a
schedule.
The two most lucrative events are a pair of $150,000 seven-furlong sprints on
Presidents’ Day weekend: the Barbara Fritchie H. (G2) for fillies and mares on
February 19 and the General George H. (G2) two days later.
Also set for February 19 is the $75,000 John B. Campbell H. at 1 1/8 miles.
All of the remaining stakes races likewise carry purses of $75,000 apiece.
Other notable stakes on the calendar include the series for three-year-olds,
the six-furlong Dancing Count S. on January 29, the seven-furlong Miracle Wood
S. on February 26 and the one-mile Private Terms S. on March 19.
“We couldn’t focus on the stakes schedule until we had racing dates,”
Maryland Jockey Club Racing Secretary Georganne Hale said. “Having a Saturday
stakes program is important because it means better horses, and people like to
come out to watch them run.”
The 49-day winter stand begins Saturday with a nine-race card.
Live racing will take place at the central Maryland track four days a week on
a Wednesday through Saturday schedule (with holiday exceptions) through March
26. Post time for the meet will be 12:35 p.m. (EST).