Timonium opens with state-fair vibe, two stakes on schedule

Horse racing at state and county fairs used to be commonplace and remains part of the culture in certain regions of the country. But on the East Coast, Timonium is the last of the Mohicans.

The Maryland State Fair in Timonium, which begins a seven-day run Friday, will race three days this week and then Friday through the Labor Day holiday next week. In addition to its annual fair meet, Timonium is home to a year-round offtrack betting parlor and is the site of three Fasig-Tipton horse sales.

With its rides, midway, and agricultural exhibitions, the mood at Timonium is distinctly different from Laurel Park or Pimlico.

“Everybody enjoys themselves at the fair, even if you’re working,” said Georganne Hale, the track’s racing secretary. “The crowd is different – more families, people are yelling and having fun. You’re closer to the horses. It’s a nice change.”

The 19-day break between Laurel meets also serves a practical purpose.

“It gives our turf course a rest and lets us do any maintenance that is needed,” Hale said. “It also gives the Laurel horses a break and is a place where the not-as-fast horses have a chance to win.”

The five-furlong Timonium track has four-furlong and 6 1/2-furlong chutes. Daily average purses are $185,000.

In 2017, Timonium held a stakes for the first time in many years. For this meet, a second has been added. The new Timonium Distaff will be held Saturday, and the Maryland Coalition is scheduled for Sept. 1. Both $75,000 races are at 6 1/2 furlongs.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association puts up $50,000 of each purse. The Maryland Horse Breeders Association contributes $25,000.

“It helps the quality of the meet and hopefully gets more people watching us and betting on us,” Hale said.

To entice horsemen to run at the meet, the track offers $20,000 in trainers’ bonuses. Trainers will earn points for their horses’ finishing positions. The top five trainers will earn a piece of a $15,000 bonus pool. The other $5,000 will go to the trainer with the most earnings at the meet.

“The bonus helps with entries, and it gives some of the little guys a chance to shoot for some extra money,” Hale said.

There also is a $50 grooms’ award each race for the best-turned-out horse.

“Hopefully, the guys will put a little extra work into making their horses stand out,” Hale said.

Saturday will be Timonium’s first college day at the races. Full-time students who register online and attend the races that day will be eligible to win a $1,000 scholarship after each race.

“Everyone wants to get the younger group out, and this should help us do that,” Hale said.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to be on hand Saturday to present the trophy to the winners of the Distaff.