Gov. Hogan Halts Racing at Laurel Park
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Photo: Jim Duley/Maryland Jockey Club
Racing suspended in Maryland until further notice.
An email message from the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association is short and to the point:
"Because of orders from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, live racing at Laurel Park has been canceled until further notice because of the COVID-19 crisis."
Maryland is the latest state to discontinue Thoroughbred racing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Racing was suspended at the New York Racing Association on March 19.
The Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Laurel Park and other tracks in the state, issued a statement March 20 after Hogan's orders.
"In accordance with the Maryland Governor’s Executive Orders and as part of the continuing effort to protect the health and safety of essential personnel and the horses they care for, the Maryland Jockey Club will temporarily pause live racing at Laurel Park and Rosecroft Raceway," the statement read. "Our top priority is the well-being of every person and every horse in our community and we look forward to resuming when the state and federal leaders and health authorities deem it appropriate to do so."