Seven-day Timonium meet starting at fair

Racing in Maryland shifts to Timonium Race Track at the Maryland Fair Grounds on Friday for a seven-day late summer meet that will end on Labor Day, Sept. 3.

Live racing at the five-furlong track is scheduled for the next two Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as the Monday Labor Day holiday. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern daily. Admission to the track is included in the $6 admission fee to the fair.

The opening-day feature on a nine-race card is a $23,000 one-mile allowance for 3-year-olds with a field of seven horses, including a two-horse entry. Alvan Was Great is the 8-5 morning-line favorite.

Though the fare at Timonium is largely low-level claiming races, the meet will include two stakes for Maryland-bred horses. The first, the $45,000 Alma North Stakes for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at about 6 1/2 furlongs, will be held on Sept. 1. The second, the $45,000 Taking Risks Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at about 6 1/2 furlongs, will be held on Monday, Sept. 3.

Maryland racing fans will recognize most of the jockeys and trainers who participate in the meet, including circuit regulars Scott Lake, King Leatherbury, Rodney Jenkins, Dale Capuano, Travis Dunkelberger, and Alex Beitia.

At the conclusion of the seven-day meet, racing will return to Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington D.C. for a meet running through the end of 2007.