Speaking during a National Thoroughbred Racing Association teleconference on May 9, NTRA president and CEO Tom Rooney noted Maryland Governor Wes Moore signing a bill on The year will redo the races in Maryland. Pimlico Race Course.
House Bill 1524, the legislation launching the “Pimlico Plus” plan, received approval from Maryland lawmakers earlier this spring. Moore’s support for the bill was predictable.
The law and the agreements it passes are expected to enable that would remake racing in Maryland. Among the changes will be the eventual closure of the Laurel Parkrevival of Pimlico Race Courseand the purchase of land to build a training center. It would also end Maryland’s tradition of private, for-profit ownership of racetracks, replacing it with a state-owned, nonprofit-managed model. The project will be funded by $400 million in state bonds.
“The state of Maryland is investing in motorsports in similar ways as New York has,” Rooney said in his opening remarks to Thursday’s teleconference. “As you all know, this year will be a historic re-enactment of the Belmont Stakes run at Saratoga while Belmont Park is completely rebuilt and modernized.
“I know I speak for those of us in this sport: there is a lot to be excited about and optimistic about as we continue through the Triple Crown season.”
A previous story on the passage of HB 1524 can be found This.
