Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority to be dissolved two years earlier than planned

A budget passed by the Maryland legislature on Monday included a provision that will eliminate the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority at the end of this year, two years prior to when the authority was previously scheduled to be dissolved.

The MTROA was created in 2023 to manage a transition from the private operation of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park to a state-owned entity. After legislation was passed last year to facilitate that transition, the MTROA led an effort to establish the non-profit Maryland Jockey Club, which is now running the tracks.

Racing officials in Maryland who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the MJC supported the plan to eliminate the MTROA.

“All of what it set out to do is now done,” said one official.

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The MTROA was budgeted to receive $3.5 million a year through 2027.

After the MTROA is dissolved, the MJC will fall under the aegis of the Maryland Stadium Authority, which will issue the bonds that will be necessary to fund a complete renovation of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and the construction of a training center at Shamrock Farm. Pimlico is set to be demolished after this year’s Preakness.

The Maryland Economic Development Corporation is also expected to play a role in managing the transition.

The Preakness is scheduled to return to Pimlico for the 2027 running. It will be run next year at Laurel, which is expected to be sold for development by its owner, 1/ST Racing and Gaming, once racing is consolidated at Pimlico in 2028.

Gary McGuignan, the executive vice president for capital projects at the Maryland Stadium Authority, told the Baltimore Banner that there will be “no real changes” to the existing plans due to the dissolution of the MTROA.

“In terms of impact to the project, it should be a smooth transition,” McGuignan said.

The MJC, meanwhile, still does not have a board of directors, which had been the responsibility of the MTROA. A Maryland racing official said that responsibility for appointing the board members “is still being worked out.”

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association issued a statement in support of the elimination of the MTROA.

“The MTHA looks forward to working closely with [the Maryland Economic Development Corporation] and as a partner with the Maryland Jockey Club as the industry transitions to a new, state-of-the-art Pimlico facility and a world-class training center at Shamrock Farm,” the statement said.

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