Preakness will allow two also-eligibles; Maryland announces racing dates

Preakness will allow two also-eligibles; Maryland announces

racing dates

Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course will conduct 146 days of racing in 2012,

the same number that was scheduled the last two years after the Maryland Racing

Commission approved an agreement by the Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland

Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association at its monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon at

Laurel Park.

"We are very pleased to be racing next year," Maryland Jockey Club president

Tom Chuckas said. "I would like to personally thank Governor O'Malley, his chief

legislative officer Joe Bryce and the Maryland Racing Commission, especially

John McDaniel, for mediating the process. This agreement provides a foundation

for continuing efforts to create a long-term solution to Maryland racing."

The Maryland Jockey Club was founded in 1743 and is the longest standing

organization in the state. Pimlico Race Course, home to the Preakness Stakes,

the middle jewel of horse racing's famed Triple Crown, opened its doors in 1870

and is the second oldest racetrack in the country.

For the first time, the Maryland Jockey Club will permit two also-eligible

entrants to the $1 million Preakness Stakes on May 19. Those runners would be

eligible to run if any of the entries of the original field are declared from

the race after the post position draw on Wednesday of Preakness week until

scratch time Friday morning, the morning before race.

A maximum of 14 horses are allowed to compete the 1 3/16-mile classic for

three-year-olds conducted each year on the third Saturday in May.

"It is very similar to what Churchill is doing for the Derby," Maryland

Jockey Club racing secretary Georganne Hale said. "It enables us to still run a

full field of 14 if there is a late scratch by 9 a.m. (ET) Friday morning. We

have set the deadline because on that afternoon advanced wagering starts on the

Preakness."

The Maryland Jockey Club will conduct a winter meeting at Laurel Park, a

spring campaign at Pimlico Race Course and a fall meeting at Laurel Park. There

will be no live racing at the major Maryland tracks during the summer.

Laurel Park, which celebrated its 100th birthday in October, will begin its

winter stand on Wednesday, January 4, with live racing taking place four days a

week on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule (with holiday exceptions). The

48-day meet will end March 24. First post is 12:35 p.m. (Eastern). The stakes

schedule has not been finalized.

Racing will then shift to Pimlico for the spring meeting. Preakness day will

be the final day of the meet for the 29-day stand, which will begin Friday,

March 30.

After a 15-week break, which will include seven live days of racing at

Timonium during the State Fair, live racing will return to the major tracks on

September 7 at Laurel Park for a 69-day fall meeting.