The 69-day Laurel Park fall meeting includes 32 stakes, five more than a year ago. The average daily purse money will be increased to $240,000 from $210,000, thanks to revenue from slot machines in the state.
The meeting begins Wednesday, Sept. 5, and concludes Monday, Dec. 31.
"It is important to have stakes races bolster our Saturday cards," said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. "To build our business from a handle standpoint, races need to be more attractive to simulcast players. We are in the process of finalizing the promotional schedule for the fall, which we expect will bring more fans into the building."
Headlining the stand will be the 27th running of the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day for the offspring of Maryland-based stallions Saturday, Oct. 6, and the return of the Fall Festival of Racing three weeks later. That card will feature five stakes on the turf as well as the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash.
Racing will take place four days a week through the end of the year on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule, holidays excluded.
