Laurel to Open With Full Fields on Turf
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Laurel Park will begin its fall meet Sept. 19 with full fields, particularly for turf races, and an adjusted schedule that groups stakes on certain days.
The first two programs (Sept. 19-20) attracted 171 entries not including also-eligible horses. Six of 19 races over the two days are scheduled for the grass.
The first Saturday program at the Maryland Jockey Club racetrack will feature the "Fall Festival of Racing"–seven stakes including the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs, five open stakes on the turf, and a Maryland-bred event.
The 59-day meet runs through Dec. 31 with first post time set for 1:10 p.m. Racing will be offered on a Wednesday-through-Saturday schedule.
Racing dates for 2014 have not yet been awarded, but the fall meet traditionally runs into the winter/spring meet, which usually begins Jan. 1.