Maryland Jockey Club, horsemen reach 10-year agreement

The Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's

Association (MTHA) and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) on Friday

announced that they have come to a 10-year agreement for sustained racing at

Pimlico and Laurel.

"I am confident and pleased via this agreement," said Stronach Group chairman

Frank Stronach, who owns Pimlico and Laurel. "We will now have long term

stability, year round racing and stabling, an attractive purse structure,

promise for the breeding industry and a strong foundation to restore Maryland

racing to its pre-eminence in North American racing."

“We created a plan that benefits everyone and develops a sustainable model

for the future," Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. "I would like

to thank Governor Martin O'Malley for his continued support of the industry. We

appreciate his involvement two years ago which set-up the framework for this

deal. We appreciate Maryland Racing Commissioners John McDaniel and Bruce Quade

for their commitment as well as the leadership from the MTHA and MBHA for

working with us to make this happen."

The 2013 racing season will feature 146 days of live racing days at the major

Maryland tracks, the same number as in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The Maryland Jockey

Club will guarantee a minimum of 100 days a year for the balance of the

agreement. There are provisions in the contract for the horsemen to race

additional days through a revenue-sharing program.

The deal also calls for Pimlico and Laurel to remain open for year-round

racing, training and stabling for the balance of the contract. Chuckas indicated

Pimlico and Laurel would maintain a minimum of 1,900 stalls.

Chuckas said the deal "allows the Maryland Jockey Club to invest in capital

improvements at both facilities and we plan on submitting a plan to the Maryland

Racing Commission and Maryland Department of Budget and Management in February."

The parties will ask the Maryland Racing Commission to approve 2013 racing

dates at their monthly meeting on Tuesday. The meeting begins at 12:30 p.m.

(EST) in Laurel's Ruffian Room.

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