A dozen out-of-town trainers from New England and Delaware have relocated to Maryland for the winter bringing 120 more horses to Pimlico, Laurel Park and the Bowie Training Center. Included in the mix is John Rigattieri, who won the seven-month Suffolk Downs meet with 93 victories. Based in Maryland last winter, the 54-year old conditioner saddled 28 winners in the first four months of the year at Laurel Park and Pimlico."Those Suffolk trainers love to run so it has already helped our entries," said Maryland Jockey Club racing secretary Georganne Hale. "We needed the boost. Lots of our trainers have been running all year and are sending them to the farm for winter. Some of the babies aren't ready yet because of the Laurel situation. We've been way behind on horse flesh and are glad to see these trainers."
Hale said there are now about 1,750 horses at the three tracks, about 250 less than a year ago.