After a meeting late last month, the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland
Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) have agreed to reduce the Pimlico
Race Course spring meet from 31 to 20 days in order to maintain a $160,000 purse
structure on the overnight during the stand. The industry faces a nearly $2
million shortfall in the purse account during the current Laurel Park winter
meet.
The Maryland Racing Commission has approved the change. Live racing will
begin at the historic Baltimore track on April 18 and end May 23.
“This decision had nothing to do with last week’s Chapter 11 filing,” said
Tom Chuckas, president and chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club,
in reference to the bankruptcy filing of the track’s parent company, Magna
Entertainment. “We felt it was best to address the situation sooner rather than
later in the year. We would like to thank the MTHA for working with us for the
best solution as this gives us an opportunity to compete with surrounding states
within our purse structure. We are looking forward to the Pimlico meet,
especially Preakness week when the best Thoroughbreds in the country come to
Baltimore.”
The Pimlico stakes schedule, which includes the $1 million Preakness S. (G1),
the middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, on May 16, is viewable on the track’s
website and will be formally announced at the next racing commission meeting on
March 17.
“Our racing secretary, Georganne Hale, has done a terrific job of maintaining
an attractive stakes program, especially Preakness week,” Chuckas added. “We are
in a difficult period and the battle becomes more challenging each day.”