The Maryland Racing Commission has greenlit a consolidated racing calendar for 2025, which includes just 120 racing days at Laurel and Pimlico. This decision was made during an October 28 meeting and reported by racingbiz.com.
The new schedule represents a significant shift for Maryland racing, which had 174 racing days as recently as 2019. In the upcoming schedule, Laurel will host 114 racing dates, along with a six-day meet at Pimlico timed with the prestigious GI Preakness Stakes. This arrangement ensures that for much of the year, Maryland tracks will not compete directly with Colonial Downs, which typically races during July and August—a period when both Laurel and Pimlico will be closed.
Laurel is set to close during the early months of 2025, reopening on January 17. Additionally, Maryland tracks will be dark over the weekend of March 14-16 to accommodate Colonial's mini-meet featuring the Virginia Derby.
Starting in 2025, management of the Maryland tracks will transition from 1/ST Racing to a new governing body, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). This authority, akin to the New York Racing Association, will oversee operations in a bid to stabilise the racing industry in Maryland. Previously, under 1/ST Racing, financial struggles prompted a reliance on purse account funds to cover operational costs. The new schedule marks an important step towards rejuvenating Maryland's racing landscape.