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It's Another Key Year for Maryland Racing

Joe Bryce, chief legislative officer for the Maryland governor, indicated May 19 discussions held later this year will be of utmost importance to Maryland horse racing.

Several Still Eligible for Pimlico Bonuses

The connections of Preakness Stakes (gr. I) hopeful Dialed In aren't the only ones eligible for bonuses via the Maryland Jockey Club pending results of races May 20-21 at Pimlico Race Course.

MJC Announces Smartphone Application

The Maryland Jockey Club announced May 2 the release of a free mobile application for iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry smartphones.

5K Run Over Pimlico's Main Track Returns

Preakness Week will kick off with the "Down the Stretch for SGK" on Saturday, May 14 at Pimlico Race Course with part of the proceeds benefiting Maryland Affiliate of Susan Komnen for the Cure.

Simulcast Deal Required for Maryland Funding

The Maryland General Assembly April 11 sent a bill that provides millions of dollars to help horse racing to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his signature.

MJC President Defends Preakness Campaign

The president of the Maryland Jockey Club said Preakness Stakes weekend is the most important component of the organization's bottom line.

Audit Shows Improvement for MJC in 2010

The Maryland Jockey Club submitted an audited financial report March 31 that showed losses for Laurel Park and a small profit for Pimlico Race Course for the final eight months of 2010.

Pass the Keg ... and Make a Bet

If 'Kegasus' captures the fancy of Preakness-goers, maybe they'd go so far as to take his advice on which horses to bet in the races.

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Preakness' 'Kegasus' Is Controversial

Not everyone's thrilled about the new half-man, half-horse Preakness Stakes (gr. I) mascot that sports a nipple ring and a beer gut.

MJC Launches 2011 Infieldfest Ad Campaign

The Maryland Jockey Club March 29 launched the 2011 Preakness InfieldFest campaign, "The Legend of Kegasus."

Mexico to be Featured on Preakness Day

The Maryland Jockey Club has chosen Mexico as the host nation of the 2011 International Pavilion at Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) May 21.

VLT Licensing Debacle Revisited in Maryland

The Maryland horse industry continued to make its case for assistance March 16, urging the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to pass legislation that would shift some revenue from VLTs to support racetrack operations.

MD Racing Makes Case for Shift in VLT Funds

The Maryland horse industry made its case March 15 for legislation that would shift gaming revenue from capital improvements to racetrack operations.

Maryland Jockey Club Reports Pimlico Losses

The Maryland Jockey Club has filed reports with the Maryland Racing Commission showing that Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), incurred rare losses in 2008 and 2009.

MJC Outlines Details of Preakness InfieldFEST

The Maryland Jockey Club has announced details for this year's Preakness InfieldFEST, which will feature live entertainment, other events, and a $20 mug for unlimited refills of beer.

PNGI Closes on Purchase of Maryland Track

Penn National Gaming Inc. confirmed March 1 it has closed on the purchase of Rosecroft Raceway, a Maryland harness track it won in a bankruptcy auction.

PNGI Seeks to End MID Maryland Partnership

Penn National Gaming Inc. is in negotiations with MI Developments to unload its 49% interest in the Maryland Jockey Club.

Stronach Wants Meeting With Maryland Horsemen

MI Developments chairman Frank Stronach has offered to meet with Maryland horsemen in the wake of a Maryland Racing Commission meeting at which MID and partner Penn National Gaming Inc. were criticized.

Cordish Sues Maryland Jockey Club, Others

Cordish Cos. of Baltimore has sued the Maryland Jockey Club and the owners of Indiana Downs for allegedly conspiring to defame the company, which plans to build a slot machine casino at the Arundel Mills Mall in Maryland.

PNGI Purchase of Rosecroft in Maryland Upheld

A U.S. District Court judge in Maryland Feb. 2 upheld the purchase of shuttered Rosecroft Raceway by Penn National Gaming Inc., which operates a casino in the state and owns 49% of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Pimlico to Have 22 Stakes Worth $2.9 Million

The Maryland Jockey Club has released the 2011 Pimlico spring stakes schedule that consists of 22 stakes worth a total of $2.9 million.

Laurel Gets First VLT-Funded Purse Increase

Video lottery terminal revenue from two Maryland casinos will fund a 16% increase in purses at Laurel Park effective Feb. 2.

MD Industry's 2011 Legislative Plan Uncertain

The Maryland General Assembly convenes Jan. 12 for a session expected to include aid for horse racing, but action on the expansion of gambling is questionable.

Laurel Schedules 15 Stakes for Winter Meet

The Maryland Jockey Club has announced that 15 stakes totaling $1,275,000 have been scheduled for the 49-day 2011 winter meet at Laurel Park.

Parameters of Maryland Agreement Discussed

The Maryland Jockey Club will receive more than $5 million for operations under the parameters of a negotiated agreement that will maintain a full 146-day live Thoroughbred racing schedule in the state.

Maryland Has 2011 Dates; Commission OKs Plan

Maryland racing interests and governor's office will announce later Dec. 22 that a deal has been reached to offer a full 146-day live racing schedule in the state.

Chaos, Mistrust in Maryland as Clock Ticks

A horsemen's representative acknowledged Dec. 21 there's still a little more than a week to get a racing schedule in place in Maryland for 2011, but he said chances are slim if the situation isn't resolved before Christmas.

Still No Live Racing Schedule in Maryland

There still is no live racing schedule for 2011 in Maryland after a Dec. 21 meeting of the Maryland Racing Commission.

Report: Stronach to Give Up MID Real Estate

The Reuters News Service is reporting that owner-breeder Frank Stronach is working out a deal in which he would relinquish control of his real estate company in exchange for some of its racetrack assets.

Maryland Racing Deserves Better Than This

Maryland racing may seem like a comedy of errors, but it's no laughing matter.

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Maryland Trainers Forced Into Tough Spot

With Maryland racing in limbo for 2011, trainers based in the state could soon be faced with a simple but important question to answer: Where will they race their horses?

PNGI: No Plans to Exit Maryland Venture

Penn National Gaming Inc. said Nov. 30 its joint venture with MI Developments in Maryland will continue, and that it planned to work on an "expedited basis" to devise a 2011 live racing schedule in the state.

MJC Plan Rejected; Laurel, Pimlico in Limbo

Thoroughbred racing in Maryland for 2011 is in limbo after the Maryland Racing Commission rejected the Maryland Jockey Club's plan for 47 racing dates.

Stronach Replaces Mills as MID CEO

Prominent Thoroughbred breeder-owner Frank Stronach has taken over as chief executive officer of MI Developments, the racetrack operating company of which he is already chairman.

MJC Considers Options in Wake of Slots Vote

The Maryland Jockey Club will map out a plan for the future over the next several weeks and the closure of Laurel Park for live racing and training remains a real possibility, officials said Nov. 3.

Maryland Voters OK Zoning for Mall Slots

Voters in Anne Arundel County, Md., approved a ballot measure that grants zoning for a slot machine casino at the Arundel Mills Mall.

MJC: Racing at Laurel Hinges on Slots Vote

A plan to put slot machines at Arundel Mills Mall instead of Laurel Park is the driving force of a Nov. 2 referendum in Anne Arundel County, Md.

Stronach Offers to Buy All MID Stock

An entity controlled by the family of Frank Stronach has offered to purchase any or all of the outstanding stock it doesn't already own in racetrack operating company MI Developments.

Judge: Rosecroft Anti-Trust Suit to Continue

A judge with the United States District Court in Maryland has denied Thoroughbred interests' partial motion to dismiss an anti-trust lawsuit filed by a harness track that has suspended operations.

Group's Appeal on Maryland Slots Gets Hearing

The Maryland Court of Appeals will hear an appeal by a citizens' group seeking to get a referendum involving slot machines in Anne Arundel County on the November ballot.

PNGI Closes on Deals in Ohio, Maryland

Penn National Gaming Inc. said July 1 it has closed on two key deals: the purchase of Beulah Park in Ohio, and its investment in a joint venture with MI Developments in the Maryland Jockey Club.

11-Day Summer Meet at Laurel Park Approved

The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association have agreed to an 11-day live summer meet at Laurel Park.

MD Group to Meet on Rejection of Slots Vote

A citizens' group will meet the evening of June 29 to discuss a court ruling that rejected a referendum on slot machines in Anne Arundel County, Md.

Handle Down, Attendance Up at Pimlico

The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course the weekend of May 22-23, posting average wagering figures which were 8.7% lower than comparable dates from 2009.

Day-to-Day In Maryland - By Eric Mitchell

Can a company once mired in debt and known for its revolving door in the executive suite since it was created in 1999 provide substantive change in the troubled Maryland racing market?

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Attendance Jumps, Handle Drops for Preakness

Attendance was up but total handle was down for this year's Preakness Stakes (gr. I) program at Pimlico Race Course May 15.

Handle, Attendance Increase on 'Susan' Day

Pimlico Race Course reported solid business figures for its May 14 program, which featured the grade II Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and promotions tied to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure program.

Maryland Tracks, PNGI Have Operating Deal

The Maryland Jockey Club, now operated by MI Developments, will be jointly operated by Penn National Gaming Inc. upon closure of the deal, the two entities announced May 7.

Preakness Ad Campaign Generates Interest

The Get Your Preak On media campaign developed for the Preakness Stakes has prompted debate in Maryland since its launch more than eight weeks ago.

Magna Reorganization Plan Implemented

The bankruptcy reorganization plan for Magna Entertainment that includes the transfer of Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and Golden Gate to MID Developments has been implemented, effective at 5:01 p.m. (EDT) April 30.