Horse racing

The plan for Maryland’s state government to take over ownership of Baltimore’s historic Pimlico Race Course cleared its first hurdle in Annapolis on Wednesday.

If the deal is approved, the nonprofit that will operate racing will adopt the name of the Maryland Jockey Club, the organization that’s been associated with thoroughbred racing in the state since the 1700s.

Maryland officials and The Stronach Group have agreed to a plan that would transfer Pimlico Race Course to the state, which would build a new racetrack at the historic Northwest Baltimore site and create a nonprofit to run day-to-day horse racing operations.

Laurel Park will temporarily host racing — including the 2026 Preakness Stakes — while Pimlico is rebuilt as part of a $400 million plan.

The move follows similar increases by the other two races in the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

The two-time Triple Crown winner had appealed his disqualification by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission nearly two years ago for using the topical ointment, which is legal in Kentucky but banned on race day.

The Preakness purse has been $1.65 million, while the Belmont Stakes' was recently raised to $2 million.

It was a banner year all around for Russell, who finished 2023 with 177 wins in 687 starts for nearly $8 million in purse earnings, all career highs.

What we learned from the latest plan to revitalize Maryland horse racing.

A new plan for reviving thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland would center the industry around a revitalized Pimlico Race Course in Park Heights that would be owned by a new state entity.

A representative of 1/ST Racing and Gaming, the owner of the Maryland Jockey Club and Pimlico Race Course, confirmed to The Banner that the Preakness is scheduled for May 18.

While the commission has not confirmed it, all signs point to a scenario that would end more than 100 years of racing in Laurel.

Several safety protocols, most of which were already requirements of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, will be strictly enforced for this year’s Maryland Million. But they may not be enough to quiet criticism of the sport.

Aiken, who is Black, said when he was getting started, he didn’t see many Black horse owners. But he believes that’s starting to change.

Without intervention, Craig Fravel claimed, Maryland racing would not have a long future.

Under the new Triple Crown schedule, the Preakness would move from two weeks after the Kentucky Derby to four weeks.

Advocates announced that a new board of trustees chaired by Taylor Smith, the former head of school, will take over.

Most will remember Prado for his decision to pull up Barbaro early on in the 2006 Preakness after the horse fractured his right hind leg.

Favored Forte finished second, with Tapit Trice third.

The thoroughbred racing industry was facing a June 30 deadline to reach a new agreement governing track operations, racing days and profits.