Racing News

Longtime Maryland Trainer Smith Approaching Career Milestone

10/14/2019

Multiple Graded-Stakes Winner Closing in on 2,000th Victory
Eight-Time Winner in Maryland Million, Celebrating 34th Year Oct. 19

LAUREL, MD – A weathered sign hangs from twisted wire on the green-painted office door of trainer Hamilton Smith’s barn at Laurel Park, aged by years of hot sun and harsh winters. Greeting visitors is the unblinking stare of a faded crustacean, holding a message in its claws.

“The Crab Is In.”

Laurel Park Gearing Up for 34th Maryland Million Day Program

10/13/2019

Watch Post-Position Draw Wednesday, Oct. 16 on Laurel Website
Maryland Million Gala Reception and Auction Friday, Oct. 18

LAUREL, MD – Following a special nine-race Columbus Day holiday program Monday, Oct. 14, Laurel Park will begin gearing up for the 34th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million Day program Saturday, Oct. 19.

Stronach 5 Returns $3,913 to 26 Bettors

10/11/2019

LAUREL, MD – There were 26 winning tickets in Friday’s Stronach 5, each returning $3,913.40.

The Stronach 5 started Friday at Laurel Park with a maiden special weight event for 2-year-old fillies that was won by Lookin Dynamic ($17.40), a 7-1 Fitzhugh LLC homebred trained by Michael Trombetta.

My Sistersledge, Saratoga Bob Top Maryland Million Pre-Entries

10/10/2019

Two-Time Ladies Winner, 2018 Classic Hero Among Five Defending Champions
Laurel to Host ‘Maryland’s Day at the Races’ Saturday, Oct. 19

LAUREL, MD – My Sistersledge, already a two-time Maryland Million winner, and 2018 Classic winner Saratoga Bob top five defending champions and nine past winners among 244 pre-entries in 11 stakes on the 34th annual Jim McKay Maryland Million Day program Saturday, Oct. 19 at Laurel Park.

Friday Stronach 5 to Feature Santa Anita, Laurel and Gulfstream West

10/09/2019

$100,000 Guaranteed Pool

LAUREL, MD – Friday’s Stronach 5, featuring a $100,000 guaranteed pool and industry-low 12-percent takeout, will include two races from Santa Anita Park and Laurel Park and one from Gulfstream Park West.

Live Racing Returns with 10-Race Program Friday, Oct. 11

10/08/2019

Former Maryland Trainer Vinnie Blengs Passes Away at 90
Laurel Park to Host Oystober and Fall Fest Saturday, Oct. 26

LAUREL, MD – Three allowance races, a maiden special weight for juvenile fillies and a trio of events scheduled for its world-class turf course are on tap when live racing returns to Laurel Park with a 10-race program Friday, Oct. 11.

The four-day live race week will be capped by a special Columbus Day holiday program Monday, Oct. 14.

Maryland Million Possible for Annas Bandit, D C Fireman

10/06/2019

Maryland Million Pre-Entry Deadline Wednesday, Oct. 9

LAUREL, MD – No Guts No Glory Farm’s multiple stakes winner Anna’s Bandit, bred and trained by Jerry Robb, and William Bayne Jr. and Super C Racing’s impressive debut winner D C Fireman continue to train forwardly toward possible starts in the Maryland Million.

Maryland’s Talk Show Man Retired

10/06/2019

LAUREL, MD - Dr. Michael J. Harrison’s homebred Talk Show Man, who spoiled Phlash Phelps’ bid for a record third Maryland Million Turf victory last fall, won’t get the chance to become a three-time winner himself.

Trainer Hamilton Smith said the 9-year-old Great Notion gelding has been retired after winning eight of 40 lifetime starts and $456,556 in purse earnings. Among his victories were the 2014 and 2018 Turf and the 2015 Henry S. Clark Stakes.

Historic Plans for Maryland Racing

10/05/2019

City of Baltimore, The Stronach Group/Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Announce Historic Plan to Preserve the Preakness Stakes® at Pimlico Race Course, Enhance Sustainable Year-Round Racing at Laurel Park and Spur Community Improvements

Click here to view the Laurel Concept Plans

Click here to view the Governor's letter

Friday Stronach 5 Returns $3,258

10/04/2019

LAUREL, MD – Multiple winning tickets Friday on the Stronach 5, featuring a $100,000 guaranteed pool and industry-low 12-percent takeout, each returned $3,258.40.

Friday’s Stronach 5 featured four turf races and kicked off at Laurel with Mia Gift winning the opening leg and returning $20.20. The only winning favorites came in the fourth leg when G Q Covergirl ($4.20) won Santa Anita’s fourth race and the final leg when McPherson won Laurel’s ninth race ($7.20).