LAUREL, MD. 12-19-14---Laurel Park moves its first post from 12:35 p.m. to 12:30 p.m., effective January 1, 2015.

“It was done to get away from Gulfstream, which starts at 12:35,” Maryland Jockey Club general manager Sal Sinatra said. “It was hard for our mutuel department to avoid being a minute or two away from them. I would prefer to be five to eight minutes away to help increase our handle.”

Sinatra has also made adjustments to the betting menu, adding superfectas, rolling doubles and Pick 3’s and a third Pick 4, which will begin with race 4 each afternoon. Laurel will continue having two other Pick 4’s (races 2-3-4-5 and 6-7-8-9).

“This is being done to enhance our wagering menu and allow patrons to bet their favorite exotics in every race,” added Sinatra. “The extra Pick 4 will help a player who gets knocked out of the early Pick 4 but has done the handicapping to continue on and not have to wait for the late Pick 4.”

MAGEE TRYING TO HOLD OFF GONZALEZ FOR YEAR-ROUND TRAINING TITLE, CARRASCO RIDES THREE WINNERS

With four live racing days remaining in the year, Kieron Magee holds a six-win lead over Claudio Gonzalez after both conditioners saddled winners on Friday’s nine-race card at Laurel Park.

Gonzalez, who leads the fall standings with 27 winners, took the second race with Romp City ($4.20).

Magee countered by taking the eighth race with River Rush ($12.40), his 54^th score at Laurel and Pimlico Race Course this year. Gonzales is second with 48. Mike Trombetta (46), Hugh McMahon (43) and Jamie Ness (42) round out the top five.

Victor Carrasco is going to finish second in the jockey standings behind Trevor McCarthy but this afternoon, the reigning Eclipse Award winning apprentice rode three winners on the card, visiting the winners’ circle with Romp City ($4.20-race 2), Moon Eclipse ($24.40-race 3) and Cutty Shark ($3.80-race 7).

Carrasco increased his win total at the major Maryland tracks to 123, 44 behind McCarthy.

HOLIDAY RACING SCHEDULE

After Saturday’s nine-race card, Laurel Park will not conduct racing until the day after Christmas. The final three live racing days of the year are scheduled to take place Dec. 26, 27 and 31.

The 2015 season begins Thursday, Jan. 1. Live racing will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday in January and February, with holiday exceptions. Wednesday racing will be added in March.

About Laurel Park
Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.