Revamping Racing’s Future Part 1: The Proposal


by Katherine O. Rizzo Tis year’s middle jewel of the Triple Crown


was overshadowed by uncertainty as the fate of the Preakness Stakes and live racing at Pim- lico Racetrack were in turmoil. From lawsuits between the City of Baltimore and track own- ers, Te Stronach Group, to the Maryland Sta- dium Authority’s nearly $400 million Pimlico renovation proposal, at times it appeared that keeping the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore was doomed. But then, a small group representing the vari- ous interests in Pimlico, the Preakness Stakes and Maryland racing began a series of meetings to find a solution. Te meetings lasted all sum- mer with little information released to the press until October 5, when the City of Baltimore, Te Stronach Group and Maryland Torough- bred industry representatives announced a plan to renovate both Pimlico and Laurel Park to not only keep the Preakness Stakes in Balti- more, but also create a year-round live racing track at Laurel. Best of all, this plan would not rely on taxpay- er money. All funds would come from existing soures within the industry and from the sale of bonds. Te estimated cost for both facility renovations is around $375 million. Seems im- possible right? Over the next few months, Te Equiery will be publishing a series of articles related to this


new proposal for Pimlico and Laurel to help explain how the impossible is actually very much possible with strong leadership and legis- lative backing. Tis month, you will read about the proposal itself and hear feedback from vari- ous leaders within the Maryland racing indus- try. Future articles will be dedicated to Equiery reader feedback, interviews with racing histo- rians as well as the leg- islative process required to bring this new pro- posal to life. We look forward to hearing your views on this


subject


through emailing edi- tor@equiery.com.


The Players Te solution makers at the table were William


H. Cole, Alan M. Rifkin, and Alan M. Fore- man. Cole, a former chief executive officer of the Baltimore Development Corp., represented the City of Baltimore while Rifkin, who is the attorney for the Maryland Jockey Club, repre- sented its interests. Foreman is lead counsel for the Maryland Toroughbred Horsemen’s As- sociation and represented the Maryland racing industry at these meetings. Each represented a “player” with major ties


to racing here in Maryland, and each presented the different views and different needs of the people and horses they represented. Te task at


hand was to find a way to meet the needs of everyone involved while moving Maryland rac- ing into the future. Foreman told the press that they had three


“Keeping the status quo here in Mary- land is not an option. We need to move forward. This proposal isn’t perfect but it’s the right direction.” - Tim Keefe, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association president


main goals while meeting. First, “the Preakness has to stay at Pimlico.” Secondly, “year-round racing must happen in Maryland to sustain the industry and this can’t happen at both tracks.” Tird, “Tere can’t be a nickel of state tax payer money used in anything we do. Te money for this project must come from the industry to support the industry.” Te proposal was sent


to Maryland’s Governor Hogan, Senate Presi- dent Tomas Miller, Jr., and Speaker of the House of Delegates Adrienne Jones on Octo- ber 4, the day before the proposal was released to the public.


Proposal Presentation


Tim Keefe, president of the Maryland Tor- oughbred Horsemen’s Association, gave open- ing remarks at the press conference held on October 8 at Laurel Park where the stakehold- ers presented their proposal to the press, horse- men, racing fans and the general public. Keefe stressed that “keeping the status quo here in Maryland is not an option. We need to move forward,” and he added, “this proposal isn’t per- fect but it’s the right direction.” Later, Keefe told Te Equiery that


“there is no such thing as a perfect plan but this plan addresses all the needs as close to perfect as possible. To come up with a plan that works for everyone… it’s magical, and these guys did it.” Foreman was next to speak and


dove into the events that led to the proposal’s release, “Tis is real. Tis is serious. Tis industry will be set for at least the next 30 years if this proposal is passed.” He continued, “It’s not perfect but we think it’s fabulous.” Anne Arundel County Execu-


The proposed Pimlico sight plan would shift the track to allow for development opportunities for the City of Baltimore (areas in purple). Inside the track would be several athletic fields.


38 | THE EQUIERY | NOVEMBER 2019


tive Steuart Pittman was asked to speak and told a story about how the very first Retired Racehorse Project Makeover was held at Pimlico. He concluded by saying that he supports the proposal and is now acting as a “cheerleader to help get this proj- ect passed into legislation.” Most of Laurel Park’s property falls within


continued... 800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


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