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Pimlico Renovation Plans Still in the Works

The Maryland Jockey Club expects to begin construction on new barns at Laurel Park this year as part of a long-term capital improvement plan, but it is holding off on announcing details of renovations at Pimlico Race Course.

Maryland Tracks Receive Safety Alliance OK

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced that Laurel Park has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance and that Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore has been re-accredited by the Alliance.

Maryland Million Set for Oct. 19 at Laurel

The Maryland Million will have its 28th renewal at Laurel Park Oct. 19, with purses and awards of more than $1 million for Maryland-sired horses.

Pimlico Rider Ortiz Injured in Breakdown

Apprentice rider Yomar Ortiz was injured when he fell from his mount during the stretch run in the fifth race at Pimlico Race Course April 21.

Maryland-Based Apprentice McCarthy Injured

Apprentice rider Trevor McCarthy will miss eight to 10 weeks with a broken left tibia suffered April 11 during morning training at Laurel Park.

Laurel Apprentice Keiser Gets First Victory

Apprentice jockey Chelsey Keiser won for the first time when she guided Smileforthecamera to victory March 29 in the fourth race at Laurel Park.

Salzmans All Over First 2-Year-Old Race in MD

The Salzman family will attempt to pad its gaudy record when the first 2-year-old race of 2013 in Maryland is held at Laurel Park closing day, March 30.

Strandberg's Laurel Win First of Her Career

Jockey Mallory Strandberg won the first race of her career March 22 when she guided Light Of Truth to victory in the first race at Laurel Park in Maryland.

Given Breakdowns, MD Changes Claiming Rules

Seeking to address a rash of fatal breakdowns during the Laurel Park winter meet, the Maryland Racing Commission March 20 revised new claiming rules passed in February.

Mr Palmer Seals Deal in Private Terms Stakes

Mr Palmer had the highest Beyer speed figure of nine 3-year-olds who went to the gate for the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes March 9 at Laurel Park, and teh favorite prevailed when he closed with a strong late run.

Dynamic Strike Rolls into Private Terms

Dynamic Strike will try for a second straight stakes win at Laurel Park and fourth consecutive victory overall at the track in the $150,000 Private Terms Stakes March 9.

Laurel, Charles Town Cancel Racing March 6

Due to a winter storm blanketing the East Coast, racing has been cancelled March 6 at Laurel Park.

Javerre the Victor in Eventful General George

Smith Farm and Stable's New Jersey-bred Javerre won his first graded- stakes race Feb. 18, taking the $250,000 General George Handicap (gr. III) at Laurel Park.

Funnys Approval Has Last Laugh in Fritchie

Bobby Rankin's Funnys Approval proved she's no laughing matter on off tracks with a solid front-running upset in the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) at Laurel Park Feb. 16.

Brigand Returns to Laurel for General George

Trainer Bob Baffert and Brigand will go back to the Laurel Park well Feb. 18 in the $250,000 General George Handicap (gr. III), where Brigand is the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

Hushion Enters Top Duo in Barbara Fritchie

Nicole H will try to secure her fourth straight stakes victory in five starts and ninth of her career when she returns to Laurel Park for the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (gr. II) Feb. 16.

MJC Plans Major Redevelopment at Laurel Park

The Maryland Jockey Club plans to build a new clubhouse and grandstand at Laurel Park on the opposite side of the existing structures at the track, as well as knock down all existing barns and relocate new ones.

Improvements Planned for Laurel, Pimlico

Under a plan submitted to Maryland officials Feb. 1, the Maryland Jockey Club plans to build new stables at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in a first step toward major capital improvements at both tracks.

CANTER Mid-Atlantic Has Record Year

CANTER-Mid Atlantic's free online sales listings transitioned 350 ex-racehorses into second careers in 2012.

MJC Tracking Horsemen's Out-of-Town Starts

The Maryland Jockey Club has put horsemen on notice regarding the shipping of horses to race at other tracks in the region.

Sagamore to Sponsor Native Dancer Stakes

Kevin Plank's Sagamore Racing announced it will sponsor the $125,000 Native Dancer Stakes Jan. 21 at Laurel Park.

Loose Horse Takes Jaunt Down U.S. Route 1

Commuters traveling on U.S. Route 1 in North Laurel, Md. around 9 a.m. Jan. 11 saw something they'll never forget--a loose Thoroughbred heading south without its rider.

Maryland Racing Posts Gains for 2012

Wagering in Maryland was up 7.5 percent in 2012, the Maryland Jockey Club reported Jan. 5, as field size also grew and a record Preakness crowd came to watch I'll Have Another run.

Castellano and Ness Capture Year-End Titles

Jockey Abel Castellano and trainer Jamie Ness wrapped up year-end titles for the calendar year in the jockey and trainer divisions respectively at the major Maryland tracks after the Dec. 31 card at Laurel Park.

Laurel, Turfway, Penn National Cancel Races

Inclement weather has forced the cancellation of live racing Dec. 26 at Laurel Park, Turfway Park, and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Onepointhreekarats Wins Thirty Eight Go Go

Onepointhreekarats made her stakes debut successfully for trainer Graham Motion when she drew off mid-stretch to win the $104,250 Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes Dec. 22 comfortably at Laurel Park.

More Funds Available for Maryland-Breds

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association Dec. 20 noted increased financial opportunities for state-bred winners because of a new racing agreement and projected increases in revenue from video lottery terminals.

Bold Affair After 3rd Straight Laurel Stakes

Bold Affair aims for her third consecutive stakes victory at Laurel Park when she heads the field for the $125,000 Thirty Eight Go Go Dec. 22.

MD Parties Strike Simulcast Deal; Dates OK'd

On the day the recently forged 10-year agreement between stakeholders in the Maryland racing industry received a formal presentation before the Maryland Racing Commission, a little Christmas bonus was included.

Maryland Groups Have 10-Year Deal for Racing

The key organizations in Maryland Thoroughbred racing announced Dec. 14 they have struck a 10-year-agreement for racing at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

Baffert Shipper Brigand Wires City of Laurel

Brigand, shipped to Laurel Park from New York by trainer Bob Baffert, responded with a front-running one-length victory in the $104,000 City of Laurel Stakes Dec. 8.

Award-Winning Turf Writer Kelly Dies at 94

The Maryland racing community lost one of its most prominent members when award-winning journalist and racing historian Joseph B. Kelly passed away Nov. 26 after a short battle with cancer. He was 94.

Maryland Tracks, Horsemen Given Deadline

Stalled on the cusp of a 10-year deal that could be the foundation for revitalizing the Maryland racing program, the state racing commission has issued a Nov. 30 deadline for the tracks and horsemen to reach a consensus.

Action Andy Gets Nod in De Francis Thriller

Action Andy closed relentlessly on the outside to get up in the final strides by a whisker over a game Il Villano in a terrific finish to win the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park Oct. 27.

Sean Avery Can Bounce Back in De Francis Dash

Grade I winner Sean Avery, who split the field in the Vosburgh Invitational (gr. I) as the favorite last month, is the 5-2 morning line choice for the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park Oct. 27.

Laurel Race Finishes With Two Dead Heats

Race seven at Laurel Park in Maryland literally went down to the wire Oct. 8 as four horses arrived at the finish line together, resulting in a rather unique climax, a dead heat for first and a dead heat for third.

Not Abroad, Ben's Cat Notch Md. Million Wins

Not Abroad and his jockey, Nick Petro, took advantage of an opening along the rail and won the $142,500 Maryland Million Classic Stakes Oct. 6 at Laurel Park.

Ben's Cat Chases Maryland Million History

Ben's Cat looks to become the fourth horse to win a Maryland Million race three consecutive years when he faces nine rivals in the $100,000 Maryland Million Turf Sprint at Laurel Park Oct. 6.

Big Fields Dominate Maryland Million Races

Eighttofasttocatch has been tabbed as the 9-5 favorite as he goes for a repeat in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic at Laurel Park Oct. 6.

Plenty of Pre-Entries for Maryland Million

Laurel Park received 155 pre-entries, which includes cross-entered horses, for the Oct. 6 Jim McKay Maryland Million program.

Ex-Rider Charles Forrest Saddles First Winner

Former jockey Charles Forrest saddled his first winner as a trainer when first-time starter Burning Vow rallied to win the fourth race at Laurel Park Sept. 14.

MJC Introduces 'Virtual Finish Line'

The Maryland Jockey Club has introduced a Virtual Finish Line at the Laurel Park fall meeting. The video insertion technology delivers virtual distance markers and a virtual finish line on the main track and turf course.

Jazzy Idea Christens Laurel Meet With Record

Owner/trainer Edwin Merryman's Jazzy Idea kicked off the Laurel Park meet in style with a course-record victory in the $100,000 Jameela Stakes at six furlongs on the turf.

Laurel Park Meet Features More Money, Stakes

Laurel Park will begin a 69-day meet Sept. 5 with average daily purses of $240,000 and an expanded stakes schedule.

C C's Pal Seeks to Regain Winning Ways

C C's Pal, who has won or placed in 22 of 30 starts for owner Eric Fein and trainer Rick Dutrow, tops the eight-horse field of older fillies and mares entered in the Aug. 3 Honorable Miss Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga.

Laurel to Host 32 Stakes at Fall Meet

Laurel Park's 69-day fall meeting, which begins Wednesday, Sept. 5, and concludes Monday, Dec. 31, includes 32 stakes, five more than a year ago.

Maryland Racing Preparing for the Future

As the Maryland Jockey Club hosts its biggest day of racing this year -- the 137th Preakness Stakes (gr. I)--the state's horse industry is bracing for changes on the horizon that could redefine how racing is conducted.

Mid-Atlantic Circuit: Possible--or Laughable

Cooperation and concessions could do wonders in the Mid-Atlantic region, which badly needs a circuit strategy.

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Done Talking Zips Five Furlongs at Laurel

Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender Done Talking zipped five furlongs in a bullet 1:01 at Laurel Park April 28.

Done Talking Breezed at Laurel Park

Illinois Derby (gr. III) winner Done Talking breezed four furlongs at Laurel Park April 21 in preparation for the $2 million Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in two weeks.