Maryland Jockey Club To Race 146 Days In 2013
Maryland Jockey Club To Race 146 Days In 2013
LAUREL, MD. 12-18-12---Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course will conduct 146 days of racing in 2013, the same number that was scheduled the last three years after the Maryland Racing Commission approved an agreement by the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (MTHA) at its monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon at Laurel Park.
Last Friday, the MJC and MJC announced they, along with the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, had come to a 10-year agreement for sustained racing at Pimlico and Laurel.
“The long-term agreement will provide stability after years of uncertainty,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. "Next year is a year of transition with most of the changes beginning in 2014.”
The Maryland Jockey Club will conduct a winter meeting at Laurel Park, a spring campaign at Pimlico Race Course and a fall meeting at Laurel Park. There will be no live racing at the major Maryland tracks during the summer.
The 2013 winter meeting will begin Tuesday, Jan. 1 and includes 51 live racing days over an 13-week period with live racing taking place four days a week on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule (with holiday exceptions).
The meet will be highlighted by 16 stakes races worth nearly $2.3 million, headlined by the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) on Saturday, Feb. 16 and the $250,000 General George Handicap (G3) two days later.
2013 Laurel Park Winter Meeting
Jan. 1-4-5
Jan. 9-10-11-12
Jan. 16-17-18-19
Jan. 21-24-25-26
Jan. 30-31-Feb. 1-2
Feb. 6-7-8-9|
Feb. 13-14-15-16
Feb. 18-21-22-23
Feb. 27-28-Mar. 1-2
Mar. 6-7-8-9
Mar. 13-14-15-16
Mar. 20-21-22-23
Mar. 27-28-29-30
Racing will then shift to Pimlico for the spring meeting, which will begin Thursday, Apr. 4 and run through Saturday, June 8, Belmont Stakes day. The 36-day stand will feature the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), the middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown on Saturday, May 18.
After a 14-week break, which will include racing at Timonium during the State Fair, live racing will return to the major tracks on Sept. 19 at Laurel Park for a 59-day fall meeting.
The 2012 racing season ends Monday, Dec. 31.
