Laurel Park Condition Book Released Without Race Dates
Image:
Description:
Photo: Jerry Dzierwinski / Maryland Jockey Club
Turf racing at Laurel Park
The Maryland Jockey Club has released a 15-day spring condition book for Laurel Park ahead of the still-undetermined resumption of live racing in the state. Specific race dates are not included.
As part of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's statewide shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic, live racing was paused in Maryland following the March 15 program at Laurel. The track held three spectator-free programs before pausing live racing.
Without race dates, planning might prove challenging for horsemen, who use the condition book to plot their horses' preparations and racing schedules. But the book does indicate Laurel's intention to card a number of turf races. The first day has six grass races, including a $40,000 maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles and both a $55,000 open allowance and $47,000 optional claiming allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs.
A total of 148 races and 42 substitute races are in the spring condition book, including 71 turf races, according to a news release from the Maryland Jockey Club.
According to a blog post from the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, purse levels are the same as they were before live racing was suspended. For example, the bottom purse is $15,000 for $5,000 claimers and rises to $40,000 for maiden special weight races.
There was some uncertainty whether Maryland racing could maintain those purse levels. In a virtual meeting last month, David Richardson, the executive director of the MTHA, remarked that Maryland racing is heavily subsidized by casino revenue, which contributes 65-70% toward the tracks' average daily purses of $230,000-$250,000.
Casinos in the state have been closed due to COVID-19.
The 2020 spring condition book can be viewed at Equibase.com or at the Laurel Park website.