This just in from the Maryland Jockey Club (May 28, 2020 at 2pm)

The Maryland Jockey Club has received approval from the Maryland Racing Commission to resume safe live racing at Laurel Park effective Saturday, May 30. The Summer 2020 meet begins with three days of live racing running through to Monday, June 1. Post time 12:40 p.m.

The Summer 2020 meet will be conducted under the industry’s most stringent health and safety protocols and Laurel Park will remain closed to the general public pending changes to the State’s further executive orders or guidance. All races will be live streamed on our website and on our 1/ST Bet app.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association put out the following statement (May 28, 2020 at 12:38pm)

The Maryland Racing Commission May 28 approved the parameters of the Laurel Park summer meet, effectively allowing the track to reopen for live racing May 30 with only essential personnel permitted on the grounds.

Laurel will offer three racing programs its first week back—Saturday, Sunday and Monday (May 30-June 1)—and follow with three days of racing the following weekend. It’s expected racing will be held twice a week thereafter on Fridays and Saturdays until further notice. Entries for the first threee days have already been drawn.

The Maryland Jockey Club submitted a request for 28 racing days for the Laurel summer meet. It was noted the facility will be closed to the public pending changes in state limits on the number of people allowed to attend events because of COVID-19.

The MJC, in conjunction with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, The Stronach Group and MedStar Health, prepared a lengthy document outlining protocols and procedures necessary for COVID-19 mitigation when live racing commences at Laurel and presented it to state officials. Before racing was suspended in mid-March, Laurel raced three days with no patrons permitted under the governor’s executive order.

To read the full MTHA statement, click here: https://mdhorsemen.com/index.php/643-laurel-park-to-resume-live-racing-may-22