Bill to Rebuild Pimlico and Laurel Introduced

Lawmakers in Maryland introduced legislation Feb. 3 that would authorize up to $375 million to rebuild Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, thus keeping the Preakness Stakes (G1) in the city of Baltimore.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Guy Guzzone, provides at least $180 million for work at or near Pimlico, located in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore, and $155 million for Laurel Park, located in Anne Arundel County.

A House of Delegates version is expected to arrive later in the week.

"The goal here is to save the Preakness," Guzzone told the Baltimore Sun. "It's to help surrounding neighborhoods. It's to make Laurel a viable racing venue for the long term. It's to do so in a fiscally responsible way where we use no funds that would have ever been programmed for education."

A deal was reached last fall by the city of Baltimore and The Stronach Group, that owns the two tracks, to have the city take ownership of the Pimlico property for development. The historic grandstand and clubhouse would be torn down and new clubhouse and events center built. The track would be rotated 30 degrees, and be 15/16ths of a mile. The land would be divided into nine tracts with some being sold for private development.

The Laurel plan includes a new clubhouse, an all-weather Tapeta track, stables, and training facilities. The old Bowie Training Center, also owned by The Stronach Group, would be given to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the city of Bowie, and to Bowie State University.

Baltimore mayor Bernard "Jack" Young said in a release: "The bill introduction is a critical step forward for Baltimore as it preserves the great tradition of the Preakness at Pimlico and signals the commitment of significant investment in the Park Heights community."

The legislation also calls for the creation of an Equine Health, Safety and Welfare Advisory Committee under the Maryland Racing Commission.

The 145th Preakness is scheduled for May 16 at Pimlico.