Maryland Racing Moves Toward Resumption

With Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan lifting the state's stay-at-home order effective the evening of May 15, horsemen are hopeful racing without spectators will be permitted to resume in the near future. The Stronach Group, however, which owns and operates Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, is still awaiting government permission to proceed as the COVID-19 crisis continues.

In a communication sent to horsemen May 14, officials with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said they are pointing toward a May 22 resumption of racing. The MTHA and Maryland Jockey Club have already provided detailed protocols to Hogan and to Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman that would be in place should racing be permitted to resume. The protocols are an extension of what is currently in place during training hours. 

The first phase of Hogan's "Roadmap to Recovery" plan allows local jurisdictions to determine which businesses can begin to reopen and the conditions under which they can operate. 

"We believe our protocols, evidenced by our safe track record for the past two months, are sufficient, meet current public health and safety requirements, and should enable us to reopen, albeit without spectators," the MTHA notice said. "As a result, we are hopeful that we can resume live racing effective May 22 and have tentative plans to that effect. In light of this, MTHA encourages horsemen to begin preparing now should this become a reality. However, horsemen should understand and appreciate that we are a government sanctioned and regulated business and the decision to reopen, and the conditions under which we can do so, rests with state and local officials."

The Stronach Group spokesman David Joseph said his company is waiting on Hogan's office to tell it when the tracks can reopen. Racing would resume at Laurel Park, where the summer meet was originally scheduled to run May 29-Aug. 23.

Last week, the MJC released a 15-day spring condition book ahead of the still-undetermined resumption of live racing at Laurel. Specific race dates were not included.

Live racing was suspended in Maryland following the March 15 program there. The track held three spectator-free programs before pausing live racing.

"Be assured that the MTHA and its leadership team, together with MJC and the Stronach Group, are leaving no stone unturned in getting us back to live racing as soon as possible," the MTHA notice said. "We acknowledge and appreciate the difficulties everyone is currently experiencing. We are committed to getting racing reopened, but must be mindful that in this unprecedented international crisis, the public's health, safety and welfare, in addition to (that of our horses), is paramount."

Horsemen's representatives were not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon.