Race Track

PHILADELPHIA - Lauren Centrowitz's 4:53.79 mile performance at the 110th annual Penn Relays yesterday gave Dana Dobbs, her Broadneck High School track coach, a surge of delight. "She was terrific. She ran her best time of the year, and you always like to see that," Dobbs said. The thing it didn't give her was a gold medal in the high school mile at one of the most prestigious American track and field meets. Sarah Bowman of Fauquier (Va.) High School, the 2003 Penn mile runner-up, took out the pace from the opening gun and ran to victory in 4 minutes, 48.56 seconds.

On December 27, 2003 PATRICK J. O'CONNOR, age 51 of Odenton, MD. He is preceded in death by parents John and Leona; son Evan and brother John. he is survived by his fiance' Karen A. Lindsay, of Odenton, MD, son Ryan O'Connor, Satellite Beach, FL; step-children Valarie A. Haislip and Jason N. Lindsay both of Odenton, MD, grandmother Edith Smith, sister Lynn R. Bynaker and brother Robert W. O'Connor all of Henderson, MD and brother Joseph P. O'Connor, Annapolis,...

Maryland is about to become a laboratory in the greatest experiment in thoroughbred racing since pari-mutuel wagering debuted at the Kentucky Derby nearly a century ago. The hypothesis, being tested by Magna Entertainment Corp., is that the sport can reclaim its glory by combining old-fashioned hospitality with the wizardry of the communication age. Specifically, Magna, which agreed last week to buy Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, wants to convert its big tracks into "destination entertainment centers" that will draw fans with gourmet cafes, boutique shops and rock concerts.

BRISTOL, Tenn. - Jeff Gordon seems to have an innate ability to come through when the chips are down. Winston Cup observers are speculating on Gordon's slow start this season and pondering his emotional state as he deals with the fact that his wife of seven years has sued him for divorce. Gordon, however, showing no signs of distraction took his Chevrolet onto Bristol Motor Speedway's tricky half-mile oval on a cold afternoon yesterday and won the pole for tomorrow's Food City 500 with a track-record run of 127.216 mph. "This is gratifying," said Gordon.

DOVER, Del. - As Jeff Gordon nestles down in his driver's seat today in the 24th spot in the lineup, he can look way up the track and see Ricky Rudd's rear bumper. It is not a sight he wants to get used to. With 10 races to go, Gordon is the Winston Cup points leader going into the MBNA Cal Ripken 400, but his lead has slipped to just 222 points over Rudd. "Another bad finish like we had in Richmond will pull a lot more drivers into the championship hunt," said Gordon, who finished 36th there.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Nearly five months after the death of Dale Earnhardt, the Winston Cup Series has returned to Daytona International Speedway, where the seven-time champion died in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500 in February. Driving in, you can't miss the big black banners with the white No. 3 outlined in red hanging from the outside pillars of the race track grandstands. You also can't miss the Earnhardt stickers in the backs of car windows and on the bumpers. But stock car drivers are a hardy bunch, and in the garage it seems almost like business as usual as these men prepare for tomorrow's Pepsi 400. "I don't think coming in here stirs it all up again," said Jeff Burton, who drives the Roush No. 99 Ford.

ARE SLOTS coming to Maryland? Not this year. It won't even be a horse race. No, the nag of a bill promoted by Del. Howard P. Rawlings of Baltimore isn't going anywhere in the 2001 General Assembly session. It doesn't have the requisite blood lines (sponsorship by the governor or House and Senate leaders). Or grassroots support. Or unified industry backing. And there's no compelling raison d'etre, as the French would put it, for passing this bill at this time. For instance, where's the budget-deficit crisis that forces lawmakers to seek a new revenue source like slot machines?

THE latest skirmish in the Battle of Western Maryland ended in a standoff, and a temporary withdrawal of forces. But fear not: The troops seeking to march into Allegany County to build a "little country race track" will be back, armed with more ammunition. So will the foot soldiers opposing this incursion, whose aim is to protect their own tracks in the Baltimore-Washington region. It's a curious conflict. For starters, there's no economic justification for placing a race track in rural Little Orleans.

A PIONEERING dormitory project that provides affordable housing for 72 backstretch workers at Laurel Park raceway has been honored with an Award of Excellence from the National Association for County Community and Economic Development. Known as Laurel Commons, the almost $2 million project was constructed to improve living conditions for workers who groom and exercise horses at the track. The previous housing was constructed 60 years ago and had been described as the some of the worst in Anne Arundel County.

Thoroughbred racing returns to Maryland today with 10 races at Laurel Park, including a $125,000 stakes featuring six sprinters from out of state. But even before the horses squeeze into the starting gate for the first race at 12:35 p.m., one of the most significant racing events of the fall will have taken place: the post-position draw for the 11 Maryland Million races Saturday at Laurel. At a luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Ruffian Room, post positions will be drawn for the races that, for many, serve as the highlight of Maryland racing, even eclipsing the Preakness in down-home appeal.