Maryland reaches agreement on live racing through end of year
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Maryland’s Thoroughbred constituencies have agreed on an extension of the current live racing agreement through the end of the year, according to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.
The extension will keep Maryland racing in a holding pattern while a new government agency created earlier this year prepares a report recommending a long-term direction for the industry. The agency, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, has until Dec. 1 to issue the report, which will examine the viability of continuing to operate two tracks, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, which are both owned by 1/ST Racing.
Live racing dates in Maryland have only been approved through the end of June, but Tim Keefe, the president of the MTHA, said that he expects racing dates in the second half of the year to be similar to previous years. Racing is expected to be held at the Timonium State Fair from Aug. 25 to Sept. 4, with racing at Laurel filling in the remainder of the dates through the end of 2023. Laurel opens its summer meeting Friday and will race through Aug. 20.
A previous 10-year agreement governing live racing in the state expired at the end of last year, but 1/ST Racing, the MTHA, and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association had earlier extended the agreement until June 30. The parties have been reluctant to reach a new long-term agreement in the wake of the creation of the MTROA, which will deliver its report to several legislative committees and likely lead to further negotiations over the direction of the industry.
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