Maryland Governor Signs Bill To Rebuild Pimlico
May 9, 2024
As expected, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a bill Thursday that calls for Pimlico to be rebuilt and for the track to be donated to the state. Under the law, $400 million in state bonds will be used to tear down and rebuild the dilapidated grandstand. While Pimlico is being rebuilt, racing will move to Laurel. Once the new Pimlico is up and running, Laurel will be closed for racing. Because of the eventual closing of Laurel, there will be a need to open a training center since Pimlico alone...
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Mugatu Confirmed for Preakness
May 7, 2024
Average Joe Racing Stables Ltd. and Dan Wells' Mugatu (Blofeld), an also-eligible entrant in the GI Kentucky Derby and most recently fifth in the Apr. 6 GI Toyota Blue Grass S., will make his next start in the May 18 GI Preakness S., trainer Jeff Engler confirmed Tuesday. "He's getting better. He really moved up on the dirt. His numbers proved it. Seize the Grey (Arrogate), who won the [GII] Pat Day Mile, we finished in front of him in the Blue Grass. I heard Seize the Grey is going...
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Dan Illman to Receive Old Hilltop Award at Alibi Breakfast
April 25, 2024
Daily Racing Form (DRF) writer Dan Illman has been named recipient of the 2024 Old Hilltop Award for covering Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction and will be honored May 16 at Pimlico's Alibi Breakfast in the buildup to the GI Preakness S. "I am very honored to receive the Old Hilltop Award from the Maryland Jockey Club," said Illman, who also serves as executive producer for DRF's video productions. "I fell in love with racing the first time I went to Belmont Park as a child, snuck the Daily...
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1/ST And France Galop Partner On Gallorette And Romanet
April 24, 2024
1/ST and France Galop have partnered with the aim of increasing international participation, the two companies announced on Wednesday. The new partnership will begin with the $100,000 GIII Gallorette S. at Pimlico Race Course on May 18, Preakness Day. Whichever horse wins the Gallorette, will automatically qualify to run in the €250,000 G1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet S. at Deauville on Aug. 18. A travel stipend will also be provided. 1/ST has previously partnered with Ascot Racecourse on Gulfstream Park's Royal Palm Series which targets Royal Ascot's juvenile races, as...
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Leo Kahl Wins Preakness Art Award
April 2, 2024
Leo Kahl's 'First Turn' has been named the winner of Preakness: The Art of Racing, a nationwide art competition celebrating the unique elements of the Preakness S. and Thoroughbred horse racing. The winning artwork was announced at an honorary ceremony in the Brown Center at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Senior Advisor of Arts & Culture for the City of Baltimore Tonya Miller Hall was in attendance, representing Mayor Brandon Scott. MICA dignitaries, Park Heights's City Council representatives and 1/ST RACING leadership also attended the announcement alongside participating artists....
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Report: The Stronach Group Agrees To Donate Pimlico To State of Maryland
March 14, 2024
The Stronach Group has entered into a 'binding commitment' to donate Pimlico Race Course to the state of Maryland, a move that will allow the state to take over operations at the track, the Baltimore Banner reported Thursday afternoon. According to the report, the transfer could occur as early as this summer, per state officials, with the state taking over racing operations in 2025. The report says that the transfer will enable the state of Maryland to earmark hundreds of millions of dollars towards modernizing the track as well as...
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1/ST Introduces New Racing Series, Preakness Purse Increase
March 1, 2024
A new $25-million racing and incentive series connecting Preakness 149, The California Crown, and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup was announced via press release by 1/ST Friday. Featuring more than $12.5-million in elevated purses and $7.5-million in incentives for both dirt and turf runners, there is a $5-million additional bonus on the line to the owner (s) of the horse who wins the 149th GI Preakness S., GI California Crown, and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational. Turf horses will have a similar series and prize structure, with a $2.5-million bonus...
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Citing Conflict of Interest Issues, Rooney Self-Recuses from MRTOA Training Center Decisions
January 14, 2024
To avoid any potential conflict-of-interest issues, Tom Rooney, an appointed voting member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), has recused himself from any further decision making in the selection of a year-round training center, said Alan Foreman, another voting member of the non-profit. The new organization is positioning itself to assume control of day-to-day racing operations in Maryland, pending legislative approval. In a proposed plan, The Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico Race Course, would turn over ownership and daily operations of the track to the state and to...
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The Week in Review: In the Good News Department, 2024 is Off to a Good Start
January 14, 2024
The year 2023 was a pretty rough one for the sport of horse racing, and there was little to suggest that this year would be any different. The sport seems to be caught in a downward spiral as we move from one crisis to another and are left to wonder "what next?" So far this year, the answer to that question is that maybe things will be better in 2024 than we might have thought. There have been several recent positive developments for the sport, many of them having to...
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MTHA To Host Community Meeting On MTROA Reports
January 8, 2024
An online community meeting for members will be hosted by the Board of Directors of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsem*n's Association (MTHA) on Thursday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the reports recently released on behalf of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). The MTROA has been examining options for the future of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the state, specifically facilities and operating models. The reports are to be considered by the Maryland General Assembly, which begins its 2024 legislative session Jan. 10. MTROA Chair Gregory...
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Maryland's Canter for a Cause to Benefit TAA
October 17, 2023
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will be the recipient for this year's Canter for a Cause charity event, set to take place on Sunday, Oct. 29 at Pimlico Race Course, the aftercare organization announced on Tuesday. Sponsored by the Maryland Jockey Club, Canter for a Cause will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all proceeds going to the TAA. Canter for a Cause gives horse owners the opportunity to ride their personal horse on a racetrack and also help promote second careers for Thoroughbreds. Named for exceptional...
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Maryland Commission Chair Resigns, Citing 'Emasculated' Powers
June 19, 2023
Michael Algeo, who has served on the Maryland Racing Commission (MRC) since 2016 and was chairing that board, resigned from both positions, effective immediately, June 14. Frank Vespe of Maryland's "Off to the Races Radio" was first to report the scoop on his show's June 17 broadcast. Algeo's departure accentuates a time of regulatory upheaval within Maryland racing that in recent months has been marked by three other long-serving commissioners (David Hayden, Tom Bowman, Tom Winebrener) also either resigning from the MRC or not having their terms renewed by the...
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