In the past, the MTHA has paid $1.5 million to $2 million annually to the MJC as an expense contribution with the understanding the Pimlico barns would remain open. Wright said the organization could not pay the fee this year because of the lack of purse money.
Franzone said the barn closings will have to be approved by the commission, and he anticipates the MJC and Magna Entertainment Inc., which owns the tracks, to ask for approval at the next commission meeting, Aug. 19. He estimated that keeping the Pimlico barns open when there is no live racing at the track costs Magna about $1 million per year.
"I don't want to influence the vote of the commission," Franzone said, "but the MJC and Magna and the Thoroughbred Horsemen are doing horribly. This is probably something that has to give."
MJC racing secretary Georganne Hale, the only MJC official who could be reached yesterday, said: "I have a spot for everybody," referring to those who must leave the Pimlico barns. She would not comment on the expected announcement or provide statistics concerning the track, including how many horses, trainers or backstretch workers will be affected. Pimlico has 90 on-site rooms for personnel, and Franzone estimated the number of backstretch workers could be as many as 200. Wright said there are about 400 horses on the grounds.
"I'm not a gloomy guy," said trainer Dickie Small, who has 40 horses at Pimlico. "But this could be the death knell. People will leave and not come back. They can go to Pennsylvania and run for bigger purses in easier races. It's unfortunate for the state."
And there is concern among horsemen, who have heard Pimlico's spring meet could be curtailed drastically, cut back to as few as 10 days leading up to the Preakness.
But Franzone said: "I have not heard anything about cutting back the dates from the MJC or the horsemen. They have to come forward with the date request in November, but I do not believe anyone will make a formal presentation until after the Nov. 4 [slots referendum] vote.
"My hope and desire would be that the referendum passes and the legislature would give us an advance on the revenue to carry us to 2010."
Trainer Tim Hooper, like other trainers, has heard rumors about closing Pimlico's barns for more than six years. But this time, Hooper said, it has been different.
"When you heard these rumors in the past, they wouldn't last long," he said. "You'd hear it, and then you'd hear from someone official that it wasn't going to happen. The last time was two years ago, and [then-MJC president and chief operating officer] Lou Raffetto let us know it wasn't happening. But this time, there's been no denials."
sandra.mckee@baltsun.com
