A bill that will allow Maryland to use casino subsidies flowing to racing in order to fund renovations at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in Maryland has been sent to the state’s governor after it passed a final procedural hurdle in the state’s House of Representatives on Wednesday
Cathy Dwyer dies this past weekend in New Port Richey, Fla., after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer. Dwyer, 65, was the longtime simulcast director at Tampa Bay Downs and, most recently, the director of operations at Premier Turf Club.
Total handle on races held at U.S. racetracks from Friday to Sunday was $132.1 million, down 4.9 percent compared with the closest calendar weekend from last year, but per race handle was up 13.9 percent due to a large drop in the number of races held, according to an analysis of racing metrics conducted by Daily Racing Form.
The Maryland House on Sunday afternoon passed a bill that would provide $375 million in funds for the renovation of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, in a vote that will likely result in the legislation being sent to the governor for his signature by the middle of the week, according to Maryland racing officials.
Churchill Downs has suspended all simulcast operations at its track in Louisville and shut down its casino in the same city for at least the next 14 days in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the track announced on Sunday afternoon.
Sunland Park in New Mexico will close for three weeks, effective immediately, after the state’s governor asked the track to shutter in response to the coronavirus, according to a release issued by the track on Sunday afternoon.
Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland has ordered that all racetracks and simulcast facilities in the state close “to the general public” in response to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a notice posted on the state government’s website. Laurel Park, however, continued to race on Sunday as they waited for clarification on when the order was to go into effect and whether it meant the track had to cancel racing.
Gary West, the owner of last year’s 3-year-old champion Maximum Security, has retained the renowned equine health expert Dr. Larry Bramlage to run “hoof to tail” examinations of the horse and organize the completion of tests on his urine, blood, and hair in the wake of the indictment of the colt’s trainer on charges related to the administration of illegal substances.
Churchill Downs has stepped up its timetable for determining when – or if – to hold the Kentucky Derby this year in the wake of nationwide cancellations of large events due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to an alert the company posted on its website on Saturday.
Parx Racing outside of Philadelphia has suspended live racing for a minimum of two weeks due to the Coronavirus situation, according to David Osojnak, the track’s director of racing.
