LAUREL, MD. 01-06-15---The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) today announced construction has begun on the building of new stalls at Laurel Park. According to the 10-year agreement signed in December 2012, a minimum of 300 stalls need to be built by the MJC’s parent company, The Stronach Group, as part of a backstretch revitalization project.

“We broke ground before Christmas and 150 stalls will be finished with horses in them by April,” said Stronach Group chief operating officer Tim Ritvo. “The Stronach Group has made great strides at Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park and Maryland is now our next big project. Within six months we hope to make an announcement of a solid plan of what racing will look like in the state. These plans have been on the drawing board for way too long and we are trying to focus on them right now and push forward. We would like to see Maryland become a big force in the industry. We appreciate the patience of our fans and horsemen.”

WAGERING DOWN FOR 2014 SEASON

The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its 2014 racing season last week, posting average wagering figures which were 2.2% lower than 2013. The average daily handle dropped from $2.52 million to $2.46 million per day.

The year featured 142 live racing dates, three fewer than the previous year, and 204 simulcast days.