Pimlico

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to begin an award program for Breeder, Owner and Stallion bonuses for registered Maryland-breds at sanctioned steeplechase race meets in Maryland. Beginning in 2022, registered Maryland-bred horses that run first, second or third will receive 30% on purses earned at National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned meets in Maryland. This program is modeled on the current bonuses paid to Maryland-breds that run at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course and Timonium. The five meets that qualify for this program this year are:...

The new date for the resumption of racing at Laurel Park has now been pegged as Thursday, Dec. 16, with timed workouts expected to resume Friday, Dec. 10. Both targets are pending a satisfactory safety review of the extensive base and cushion work now being done on the troubled main dirt surface at Maryland's most heavily used Thoroughbred venue. With the exception of light training that continues to take place around cordoned-off areas of the dug-up oval, Laurel has been closed for racing and timed works since Nov. 28. Seven...

Seven Laurel Park horses have died since Nov. 6, and eight total have perished this autumn after sustaining fractures while racing or training over the newly installed main dirt track there. The most recent death occurred in Laurel's eighth race Nov. 28, and training has been curtailed in the three days since then. A portion of the surface has been dug up in mid-stretch to allow an influx of track maintenance consultants to try and discover if there is an underlying problem that needs to be addressed. Laurel's next scheduled...

The inclusion of an August race meet at Pimlico Race Course for the first time in 17 years was the only major change in the 2022 slate of racing dates approved Thursday by the Maryland Racing Commission. Although not discussed at the Oct. 28 meeting, one obvious benefit to the mid-summer move from Laurel Park to Pimlico will be the ability to give Laurel's turf course a break during the hottest time of the year in Maryland. Pimlico last ran in the late summer back in 2005, when its calendar...

Edited Press Release Pimlico Race Course will once again play host to the popular Canter for a Cause Sunday, Oct. 10, giving the public an opportunity to walk, trot, canter or gallop their favorite horse or pony on the same track that has hosted legends like Seabiscuit and Secretariat. Sponsored by the Maryland Jockey Club, Canter for a Cause is scheduled to run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration is $50 per trip, with proceeds going to benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Entries will be taken in four groups--Seabiscuit (walk, trot,...

The Maryland Horse Library and Education Center was designated by the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) as the Educational and Cultural Center of the Maryland Horse Park System. The new, multi-faceted facility will honor the history and importance of Maryland's horse industry. "Maryland is home to over 100,000 horses, more horses per square mile than any other state," said Secretary Joe Bartenfelder. "With over 40 equine disciplines practiced right here in Maryland and premiere horse events held year-round, our state's equestrian industry is world-renowned. This center will teach Marylanders and...

H P Moon (Malibu Moon), controversially scratched at the gate due to a horse identification issue out of an intended debut at Saratoga July 31, proved well worth the wait with this jaw-dropping Pimlico unveiling against five overmatched rivals. Working a steady diet of bullet drills at trainer Lacey Gaudet's Delaware base, including a four-furlong move in :47 (1/63) Aug. 14, the 2-5 choice took control from his rail draw and was pressed through an opening quarter in :23.10. He began to shake clear approaching the quarter pole, and put...

The Maryland Jockey Club released the fall schedule of 33 stakes worth $3.525 million in purses for Laurel Park, including the GIII Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash and 36th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million. The fall meet begins Thursday, Sept. 9 and continues through Saturday, Dec. 31. For the complete stakes schedule, click here. The six-furlong De Francis for 3-year-olds and up will help kick off the fall stakes schedule as one of four stakes worth $500,000 in purses Saturday, Sept. 18. Named for the late president...

With the track renovations at Laurel Park ongoing and the season extended nearly three months at Pimlico Race Course to compensate, all of the upcoming weekend's grass racing at Pimlico has been moved to the main track. The time will be used for enhanced maintenance to prepare the grass course for extended use. There were originally four turf races scheduled for Friday and two for Saturday, with none scheduled on Sunday. All races over the weekend will be held on the dirt. "As a result of our extended race meet...

Maryland Jockey Club and its parent company, 1/ST RACING (The Stronach Group), is hopeful horses will be able to return to Laurel Park the first week in August barring any delays in the ongoing renovation of the dirt surface, but even if they do, racing will likely continue at Pimlico Race Course in August until the Maryland State Fair at Timonium meet begins. An update on the project and a timeline were discussed June 14 during a Zoom community meeting hosted by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. It was also...

5th-Pimlico, $50,904, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($62,500), 6-13, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.27, ft, 6 lengths. EDIE MEENY MINY MO (f, 3, Upstart--Plum {SW, $128,440}, by Pure Prize) continued a promising start to her career Sunday at a somewhat surprising 3-1 while sporting blinkers for the first time. A sharp :10 flat breezer at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic last year, the dark bay debuted a 4 1/4-length winner in a waiver maiden claimer (not in for the tag as the race condition is effectively a state-bred maiden special weight plus open $40,000 maiden claimer)...

With persistent heavy rain falling and more in the forecast throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, Friday's live program at Pimlico was canceled after the second race. According to the National Weather Service, up to an inch of rain had fallen in the Baltimore area with another inch expected. The NWS also issued flood warnings for Central Baltimore County and Baltimore City. The national weekly Stronach 5 wager, which was scheduled to begin with Pimlico's eighth-race finale, was also canceled. Live action is scheduled to return to Pimlico with an eight-race program...