With 10 to 15 inches of snow expected by the evening, the Maryland Jockey Club has cancelled live racing and simulcasting at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course for Dec. 19. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Maryland and its neighboring states from Dec. 18 evening until late Dec. 19
"The weather reports highly suggest that a major snowstorm will hit this area tomorrow morning and continue late through the day with the heaviest accumulations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “Safety is a key issue for our horsemen and patrons so we hope they enjoy the day.”
The Dec. 19 card was to be the last live racing day of the 2009 season. The 2010 campaign opens Jan. 1. First post will be 12:35 p.m. Laurel Park and Pimlico will be open for simulcasting Dec. 20-23 and 26-31.
Also cancelled is the Maryland Horse Council rally, which was scheduled to be held in the Laurel paddock at 11 a.m.
The 33 giving tree gifts and 2010 racing calendar giveaway promotions scheduled for Dec. 19 will now take place on Jan. 2.
The $50,000 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship for 2-year-old fillies has been rescheduled for Jan. 1 but with different conditions since all horses become a year older on the first day of the year. The race will be re-named the Maryland Filly Championship. The racing office will draw for the Jan. 1 card on Dec. 29. All 16 runners nominated are eligible to run.