Maryland Racing Dates Approved

The Maryland Racing Commission approved the 2003 racing schedule at its monthly meeting. Live racing will be conducted on 220 days at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park next year. The 128th Preakness Stakes (gr. I) is May 17 at Pimlico.

Laurel Park will host its Winter Meet from Jan. 1-March 30, with the Pimlico Spring Meet running from April 2-June 8. The Laurel Summer Meet is July 24-Aug. 22, with the Summer/Fall Meet at Pimlico running Sept. 3-Oct. 4. The Laurel Fall Meet is Oct. 7- Dec. 31.

Live racing will take place on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule the first eight months of the year. The last four months of racing will be conducted on a Tuesday through Saturday live schedule.

The annual six-week break happens when racing shifts to Colonial Downs in Virginia following the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) in early June. The Timonium state fair meet is scheduled for the last week of August.