Maryland Million Moves to Pimlico

Because of the lingering uncertainty over the condition of the grandstand at Laurel Park, the Maryland Million will likely take place this year at Pimlico.

Lou Raffetto Jr., chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, plans on informing the racing commission Wednesday (July 25) of the track's intention to run the one-day Maryland Million festival Oct. 13 at the track in the city.

The MJC has "no conclusive results yet" of ongoing studies of the Laurel grandstand, Raffetto said. Track management hired a team of structural and building experts to determine why large panels of glass overlooking the racing surface had been cracking.

Despite the lack of answers, the MJC is "making every effort" to race at Laurel after Timonium closes on Labor Day -- except for Maryland Million day. Raffetto said it's necessary now to determine a site for the Maryland Million for planning purposes.

Since its inception in 1986, the Maryland Million, the fall highlight of thoroughbred racing in the state, has taken place at Pimlico five times - 1987 and 1989 through 1992