Live Racing

Aided by a record attendance at the Preakness and strong export numbers, total wagering improved last year for the tracks operated by the Maryland Jockey Club. All-sources handle totaled $960.2 million, an increase of more than $64 million (or 7.2 percent) over 2005 figures, and the average daily handle from all sources rose more than 15 percent to $4.1 million despite 11 fewer days of live racing at Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park. Lou Raffetto, president and chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, found the results "encouraging.

The Maryland Racing Commission yesterday approved thoroughbred and harness racing dates for 2007 at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at Laurel Park. The commission also approved the stakes schedule and the applications for the renewal of simulcast satellite betting permits at Northeast Racing and Sports Club, Pimlico Race Course, The Cracked Claw, Cambridge Turf Club and Riverboat on the Potomac, which is tentatively scheduled to reopen Monday. The Maryland Jockey Club said it expects to expand its experiment with twilight racing - which it conducted at Laurel this year - to Pimlico, on the three Thursdays and Fridays after the Preakness.

The state's horsemen appear ready to approve a compromise proposal on 2006 racing dates for Maryland's tracks. Magna Entertainment Corp., owner of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, presented a plan for 180 days of live racing to representatives of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association on Monday night. The new proposal also keeps barns at Laurel, Pimlico and the Bowie Training Center open and asks the horsemen for substantial contributions to help cover operating costs.

AKRON, Ohio -- On a bright Midwestern morning, they stood at the top of the hill, the father and son, gazing down the long, steep expanse in silence. The track that sloped away below them -- 900-plus feet of smooth, dedicated asphalt, marked off in three lanes of precisely equal width -- descended sharply at first, then more gradually, toward a finish line that seemed so far away you had to squint to see it through the summer's haze. Jim and Chris Hagan had been here before -- four times, in case you're keeping track.

Purse increases equivalent to $18,000 daily and 26 stakes races offering $4 million will highlight Maryland thoroughbred racing's signature meeting, which opens for an eight-week stand today at Pimlico Race Course. As usual, the marquee event of the spring stand is the $1 million Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of racing's Triple Crown, which is scheduled for May 21. The rises in purse money will provide a better quality of racing, enabling the state to better compete with neighboring tracks in Charles Town, W.Va.

After conducting its marquee event tonight - the Maryland Sire Stakes Showcase of Champions - Rosecroft Raceway will cease live racing until Nov. 26 in an effort to "get the business back in line," said Tom Chuckas Jr., president and CEO of the Prince George's County harness track. Rosecroft has been racing two nights per week, so the shutdown will cost it 10 days of live racing. The track will remain open for simulcasting. Chuckas said yesterday that the ongoing simulcast situation with the thoroughbred factions and the failure to sell the track have prompted the break from live racing.

Live racing returns to Pimlico Race Course for the five-week summer/fall stand today with a 1:10 p.m. post time. Racing will be conducted on a Thursday through Sunday schedule except for the final week, when cards will be presented on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Columbus Day). Opening day will feature free admission, a complimentary live racing program and $1 selected food and beverage items at concessions. The meet features 16 stakes races, with three $150,000 added money tests: John Schapiro (Sept.

The owners of Pimlico Race Course said profit at the home of the Preakness Stakes fell nearly 58 percent in 2003, according to a financial report filed this week with the Maryland Racing Commission. Pimlico showed a profit of $671,000 on racing revenue of $27.6 million last year, compared to a profit of $1.6 million on racing revenue of $31.5 million in 2002. In addition, nearly a third of Pimlico's racing revenue, or $9.1 million, came on Preakness day. Pimlico's handle was $127.7 million in 2003, down 22.6 percent from 2002's $165 million; however, there were only 71 days of live racing at Pimlico in 2003, and 110 days in 2002.

Live racing at Pimlico Race Course was canceled yesterday, and the track will not conduct a live card today because of Hurricane Isabel. Simulcast action will be available at both Pimlico and Laurel Park today. Pimlico originally planned to run yesterday, but increasing wind and weather reports that strong rains would arrive sooner in the day than first forecast caused the change. Eight races yesterday and nine scheduled for today were affected. "We had anticipated some winds this afternoon, but once the forecast called for heavy rain moving in earlier than expected, we had to make this decision," said Lou Raffetto, chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club.

Live thoroughbred racing returns to Pimlico Race Course today for a five-week meeting that will mark the return of Sunday action in the late summer and fall. The Maryland Jockey Club went to a Tuesday-Saturday schedule at this time last year in an effort to avoid competition with the Ravens and the Washington Redskins, but now will be open Wednesday through Sunday, with Mondays and Tuesdays dark for live racing. "We experimented with no Sundays because of football, but we found it didn't really help us," said chief operating officer Lou Raffetto.