Maryland Racing Prepares for Move to Pimlico

Spring in Maryland means the return of live racing at Pimlico Race Course, which opens March 28 for an 11-week meet highlighted by the May 19 Preakness Stakes, second leg of the Triple Crown.

The Pimlico meet will feature 38 stakes worth almost $5 million. Maryland racing officials said Tiznow, Horse of the Year for 2000, could make his East Coast debut in the $750,000 Pimlico Special, a grade I event scheduled for May 12.

Opening day will feature free admission, a complimentary live racing program, and $1 selected food and beverage concessions. On March 31, the first 4,000 full-paid admissions will receive a Pimlico T-shirt from the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates the track.

The eighth annual Maryland Spring Challenge Day on April 21 will feature four stakes for Maryland-breds. The feature race of the day will be the $200,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for 3-year-olds.

The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, a grade II test for 3-year-old fillies, is scheduled as usual for the day before the Preakness.