Over the weekend, The Stronach Group, City of Baltimore, Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Industry announced a plan to preserve the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico as well as enhance Laurel Park to accommodate year-round racing. The proposed plan was sent to Governor Hogan, Senate President Thomas Miller, Jr. and Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne Jones on October 4.

The plans, if approved by State leadership during the next General Assembly, would keep the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico as well as build a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and community events center at the Baltimore track. “The Stronach Group has agreed to contribute the entire Pimlico site to the City or an entity established by the City to allow for community development in and around the racetrack and the Sinai Hospital area,” as stated in a press release from Baltimore Mayor Bernard “Jack” Young issued on October 5.

Mayor Young’s press release also stated that the Laurel Park plan includes “a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and world-class racing and training facilities, including the addition of racing and training of a new state-of-the-art, all-weather Tapeta track and new stables and training facilities in a horsemen’s village setting designed in consultation with the State’s racing industry.”

Mayor Young stated, “By these recommendations, if approved, we can preserve the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico for generations to come and move forward with our redevelopment plans for the Park Heights community, Sinai Hospital and the Northern Parkway corridor. I could not be any more pleases, excited or proud.”

“These are transformative plans for the racing industry in Maryland and will benefit all of the stakeholders in the industry and the communities that surround the facilities,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President of The Stronach Group.

The full letter sent to Governor Hogan and the Honorable Miller, Jr. and Honorable Jones is posted as a link below.

01 Letter to Gov and Presiding Officers