Preakness At Pimlico In Jeopardy

[HuskyCaucasian]

Preakness At Pimlico In Jeopardy By Maryland Racing Vote

The future of the Preakness at Pimlico is in doubt after a vote by Maryland's racing commission.

 

The board has voted to reject a proposal by the owners of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park to conduct live racing next year, meaning there won't be horse racing at either track next year unless an agreement is reached.

 

That would leave the future of the Triple Crown's second leg in doubt at the track where it has been run since 1873. Nearly $80 million was bet on the race this year, which was attended by more than 95,000.

 

"It's disappointing the parties involved could not reach an agreement," Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a statement. "We are prepared to aggressively protect the state's interests, as we did two years ago when presented with the threat of losing Maryland's treasured Preakness Stakes.

 

"We will continue to explore the legal options available to us."

 

The tracks' owners, MI Developments and Penn National Gaming, have said they cannot profit from hosting live racing on days that don't have the massive crowds drawn by the Preakness. They originally proposed 146 days of live racing but asked horsemen to give up simulcasting rights and contribute $1.7 million toward operating costs, among other concessions, and were turned down.

 

They later offered 78 days without any concessions but the $1.7 million, which horsemen had previously agreed to.

 

On Tuesday, the proposals were rejected 8-0 by the commission in an acrimonious meeting before a standing-room crowd of approximately 450, casting doubt on the future of racing in the state.