Deadline for report on future of Maryland racing extended to Jan. 5

The deadline for the release of a state-sanctioned report examining the long-term options for Maryland’s racing industry has been extended until Jan. 5, according to officials with knowledge of the decision.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the extension has not yet been announced, said that the deadline was extended to give the state agency, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, more time to consider its work. By legislation, the MTROA was supposed to deliver its report to the legislature by Dec. 1.

The MTROA was created by the legislature earlier this year as a means to consider recommendations that would reform Maryland’s racing industry, either through state action or by pressing the racing industry to adopt its proposals. The authority has held several hearings this year to consider plans favored by the state’s horsemen, breeders, and sole racetrack operating company, 1/ST Racing, which owns both Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course.

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All of the state’s racing constituents have told the authority that they favor the consolidation of racing at Pimlico in Baltimore, a plan that would lead to the closure of Laurel Park in suburban Maryland. But horsemen and 1/ST differ significantly on how to achieve the consolidation.

Under the authority’s enabling legislation, the report will be delivered to the legislature with specific recommendations on which actions the state should take, if any. The delivery of the report is expected to lead to intense lobbying efforts by racing constituencies to gain support for their own goals.

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