Rosecroft Raceway, a Maryland harness track that has been closed for live racing since 2008 and at one time was a major simulcast facility, is expected to reopen for limited simulcasting Aug. 25 under ownership of a Penn National Gaming Inc. subsidiary.
The track located just south of Washington, D.C., had conducted harness racing from 1949 until it filed for bankruptcy protection and closed for live racing three years ago. It continued to offer full simulcasting until its former owner failed to meet the financial terms of a deal with the Maryland Thoroughbred industry on Thoroughbred simulcasts last year.
Rosecroft and the Maryland Thoroughbred industry are in state-ordered mediation to reach a deal that would allow Rosecroft to offer Thoroughbred simulcasts. In the meantime it will offer harness and Quarter Horse simulcasting from noon until midnight daily, seven days a week.
The track, now owned by the PNGI subsidiary Prince George’s Racing Ventures LLC, will host a 20-night live harness meet beginning Oct. 21 and is expected to race 54 days in 2012.
PNGI purchased the track out of bankruptcy earlier this year for $12 million, and is in the process of making improvements to the facility. PNGI has pledged up to $1 million for the capital construction project.
“We are truly excited to bring this entertainment option back to the racing fans of the Washington, D.C., metro area,” PNGI vice president of racing Chris McErlean said. “The reopening of Rosecroft is just the start in bringing jobs and economic activity back to Prince George’s County.”
Rosecroft is offering several promotions and giveaways, including free admission daily and a $2 betting voucher to the first 250 patrons Aug. 25.