Strong Handle for Commonwealth Cup Day
Maryland Jockey Club reports total handle Saturday on Laurel Park's Commonwealth Day was up 72.5 percent from last year.
Maryland Jockey Club
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Maryland Jockey Club
Stronach Tracks Address 'Program Trainers'
Believing suspended trainer Marcus Vitali may have been working with trainer Allan Hunter to effectively train horses during his suspension, The Stronach Group announced this week that no entries would be taken for horses trained by Vitali.
Laurel Turf Festival Gets 200-Plus Nominees
Laurel Park's Sept. 10 Turf Festival, highlighted by five grass stakes worth $500,000, attracted more than 200 nominations, Maryland Jockey Club officials said.
MJC Reports Handle Increase at Laurel Meet
Total pari-mutuel handle during the Laurel Park summer meet that ended Aug. 21 increased 20.2% from the comparable meet in 2015, according to Maryland Jockey Club statistics.
Laurel Meet Training Title Ends in Dead Heat
The Laurel Park summer meet training title ended up in a tie between Tim Keefe and Hamilton Smith, but jockey Jevian Toledo easily captured the riding title.
Timonium Trainer Bonuses Increase to $20,000
The Maryland State Fair will offer trainer bonuses worth $20,000 for the seven-day Timonium meet that begins Aug. 26.
Former Jockey, Racing Official Lee Dies at 79
Former jockey and Maryland Jockey Club clerk of scales Thomas "Tommy" Lee died Aug. 3 at the Delaware Hospice Center. He was 79.
Laurel Adds New High-Definition Infield Board
Coming on the heels of a successful 28-day meet at Pimlico Race Course, the Maryland Jockey Club shifts live racing to Laurel Park for the opening of its summer meet with a nine-race twilight program July 1.
MJC Reports Increased Average Daily Handle
The Maryland Jockey Club announced June 29 that daily handle was up nearly 22% from the previous year during the recently concluded Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course.
Page McKenney Recovering From Tendon Filling
There is no timetable for a return to the races for Adam and Jalin Stable's millionaire Page McKenney, but he continues to recover from filling in a tendon that led to his scratch from the May 20 Sagamore Spirit Pimlico Special (gr. III).
NYRA Commissions New Triple Crown Trophy
The next time a horse is awarded the Triple Crown trophy will be the first time for a new design, as New York Racing Association president Chris Kay has commissioned a new trophy to replace the one awarded to many previous Triple Crown winners.
Classic-Placed Divining Rod Nearing Return
Lael Stables' grade 3 winner Divining Rod, third behind 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in the 140th Preakness Stakes (gr. I), is getting closer to his first race of the season.
WGOH: Pimlico Is About the People
Preakness weekend hospitality far outshines the venue
MJC: Preakness Set Handle, Attendance Records
The Maryland Jockey Club reported attendance and total pari-mutuel handle records for the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) program at Pimlico Race Course.
Record Attendance for Black-Eyed Susan Card
The Maryland Jockey Club reported record attendance and an increase in handle for the May 20 card at Pimlico Race Course, highlighted by Go Maggie Go’s impressive Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) score.
As Usual, Weather Forecast Breakfast Topic
The weather forecast for Preakness Stakes (gr. I) day not surprisingly generated talk during the May 19 Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course.
Stronach Group Has Deal to Buy Rosecroft
The Stronach Group May 16 said it has entered into an agreement to purchase Rosecroft Raceway, one of two harness tracks in Maryland and a major off-track wagering outlet for Thoroughbred racing, from owner Penn National Gaming Inc.
Preakness: Abiding Star Needs Quarantine Lift
Maryland Jockey Club president Sal Sinatra confirmed May 14 that Pimlico Race Course is prepared to take special precautions to accept the Parx-based horses, both of which never showed signs of illness during the quarantine.
Average Daily Handle Jumps at Laurel Park
Average daily pari-mutuel handle for the recent Laurel Park meet increased 34.6% from the comparable meet in 2015, the Maryland Jockey Club reported May 10.
Dazzling Gem, Fellowship Eye Preakness
Steve Landers Racing's Dazzling Gem and Jacks or Better Farm's Fellowship were added to the list of Preakness Stakes (gr. I) candidates May 9.
Improvements in Place for Pimlico Meet
Because of a scheduling change in Maryland, the winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will be on the grounds at Pimlico Race Course before the track's 2016 meet begins.
Prado Returns to Maryland Circuit Full-Time
Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado, a winner of 24 riding titles at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, is returning to Maryland beginning with the May 12 opening of the Pimlico meet.
Preakness Field Beginning to Take Form
With Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Nyquist scheduled to arrive at Pimlico Race Course May 9 between 4-5 p.m. EDT, a field of challengers is already taken form for the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
Team Pharoah to Receive Preakness Merit Award
The Maryland Jockey Club April 29 said it will honor Zayat Stables, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza—the connections of 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah—with the Preakness Special Award of Merit May 19 at the Alibi Breakfast.
Rodriguez to Ship Large String to Laurel
New York-based trainer Rudy Rodriguez plans to keep a large string of horses in Maryland this summer and visited Laurel Park the week of April 24 to check out his new surroundings.
Duley to be Honored for Preakness Photo
Jim Duley has been named recipient of the Jerry Frutkoff Memorial Award sponsored by Nikon, to be presented Thursday, May 19 at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course.
TAA Named Honorary Postmaster Preakness Week
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations, has been named the honorary postmaster for the 141st Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course.
Old Hilltop Award to Stroble, Rosenblatt
Charles Stroble, director of news operations at WBAL-TV, and Richard Rosenblatt of the Associated Press have been named recipients of the 2016 Old Hilltop Award, to be given out Thursday, May 19 at the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course.
Ritvo Talks Racing Industry With Students
Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, spent part of day April 20 at the University of Maryland as guest lecturer for a class on "Gambling in the New Millennium."
Maryland Jockey Club to Honor Writer Ehalt
The Maryland Jockey Club announced April 20 that Bob Ehalt will receive the David F. Woods Memorial Award for excellence in journalism at the May 19 Alibi Breakfast in the Terrace Dining Room at Pimlico Race Course.
MJC to Complete Facility Upgrades This Week
The Maryland Jockey Club will complete two of several major projects this week at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park.
Vitali Heads to Maryland for Spring, Summer
Marcus Vitali, the third-leading trainer at the Gulfstream Park Championship meet with 25 wins, will ship his stable to Laurel Park and spend the spring and summer in Maryland.
Pimlico Sets $3.7 Million Stakes Schedule
Pimlico Race Course will offer $3.7 million in stakes for a 28-day meet that begins May 12, Maryland Jockey Club officials said March 16.
Laurel to Reopen as Turf Racing Season Nears
Racing returns to Laurel Park March 11 after a more than three-week break as part of a new schedule that will allow the facility to capitalize on its expansive turf course.
Maryland Commission OKs Timonium OTB Parlor
The Maryland Racing Commission Feb. 22 gave the go-ahead to the Maryland Jockey Club to operate an off-track betting parlor at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
Maryland Panel Again Delays OTB Vote
For the second time in a week, the Maryland Racing Commission Feb. 16 put off voting on a proposed off-track wagering facility at the state fairgrounds in Timonium.
Plan for Timonium OTB Parlor Causes a Stir
The Maryland Racing Commission has heard the pros and cons of allowing the Maryland Jockey Club to operate an off-track betting parlor at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium and will vote on the issue Feb. 16.
Laurel Quick to Recover From Heavy Snow
Laurel Park has canceled its live racing program for Jan. 25, but not because of the about 30 inches of snow that fell on the racing surface over the weekend.
MJC Enacts House Rule on Joint Injections
The Maryland Jockey Club has enacted a house rule for the Laurel Park meet that requires trainers of claimed horses to report joint injections administered in the previous 30 days.
Live Handle Up at Maryland Tracks in 2015
The Maryland Jockey Club reported a healthy increase in total live pari-mutuel handle at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in 2015 despite two fewer racing days compared with 2014.
Frank De Francis Memorial Graded for 2016
The Maryland Jockey Club announced Dec. 3 that the $350,000 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash has been upgraded to grade III for 2016 by the American Graded Stakes Committee.
Maryland's Growth Potential Focus of Meeting
Maryland racing stakeholders the evening of Nov. 20 received a status report on the state of the industry, and they were told there is great potential for growth in the state.
Maryland Continues Rebuild of Racing Program
At a time when some Mid-Atlantic region tracks are cutting live racing dates, Maryland is moving in the opposite direction as part of a master plan to make the state a year-round Thoroughbred racing and stabling destination.
'Win and You're In' Races Added at Laurel
The $1.95 million stakes schedule for the winter meet at renovated Laurel Park includes "Win and You're In" races for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) at Pimlico.
MJC Schedules Town Hall Meeting at Laurel
The Maryland Jockey Club will host a town hall meeting with industry leaders Nov. 20 to share and discuss its vision for the future of the Maryland Thoroughbred industry.
Maryland Regrowing Its OTB Network
From 2011 through 2013, Maryland lost three of its four OTBs. Now the Maryland Jockey Club hopes to have five to six OTBs running by 2017.
Maryland Million Card Sees Handle Gains
The 30th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million Oct. 17 at Laurel Park generated an increase in handle of 34.9% and an increase in attendance of 5.6%, compared with last year's event.
Murray Recalls Late Breeder Howard Bender
The Sept. 28 death of Howard Bender, who along with his late wife, Sondra, was among the leading breeders in Maryland, came as a shock to the couple's long-time trainer, Larry Murray.
Laurel to Host Qualifiers for Claiming Crown
The Maryland Jockey Club Sept. 18 announced it will partner with Gulfstream Park and the Claiming Crown to hold nine "Win and You're In" races Nov. 1 at Laurel Park.
Laurel Park Still Improving Facilities
Laurel Park will open its fall meet Sept. 12 while it continues working on renovating its grandstand.
Most Popular Stories
- California Chrome Draws Rail in Awesome Again
- 'Cleopatra' Looking to Reign in Chandelier
- Colonel John Sold, to Stand in Korea in 2017
- Runhappy Faces Five in Ack Ack
- Jockey Collins Suffers Paralysis After Spill
- Beholder, Stellar Wind Renew Rivalry
- Flintshire Rolls Into Joe Hirsch Turf Classic
- Snowden Death Investigation 'Inactive'
- Klimt to Stretch Out in FrontRunner
- Air Force Blue Retired to Ashford Stud
