BALTIMORE — On Saturday, Baltimore City, The Stronach Group, Pimlico Race Course, the Preakness States and Laurel Park have all agreed to jointly submit an agreement to the State leadership that, if approved, will keep the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico and enhance year-round sustainable racing at Laurel Park.
The Pimlico plan includes a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and community events center at Pimlico and replacing facilities that were over 100 years old. The clubhouse and events center will be a community asset and available for community use when not being used for the Preakness Stakes or other racing meets.
The Stronach Group has agreed to contribute the entire Pimlico site to the City or an entity established by the City to allow for community development in and around the racetrack and the Sinai Hospital area.
Mayor Young, who believes that the Preakness Stakes is a very significant part of Baltimore City's legacy and future, says that these plans can help push the City in a positive direction.
"Today we submitted a Ietter on behalf of the City, The Stronach Group, the Maryland horsemen and County Executives Pittman and Olszewski to our leaders in Annapolis, which we hope they will find to be as thoughtful, significant and important as do we," said Mayor Young. "By these recommendations, if approved, we can preserve the Preakness Stakes® at Pimlico for generations to come and move forward with our redevelopment plans for the Park Heights community, Sinai Hospital and the Northern Parkway corridor."
The Chairman and President of The Stronach Group, Belinda Stronach, says that these plans will not only benefit the City, but that they will also benefit those who surround these facilities.
"These are transformative plans for the racing industry in Maryland and will benefit all of the stakeholders in the industry and the communities that surround the facilities," said Stronach.
The Laurel Park plan also includes a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and world-class racing and training facilities, including the addition for racing and training of a new state-of-the-art, all-weather Tapeta track and new stables and training facilities in a horseman's village.
"I am delighted by what I have seen in these plans," said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Jr. "If these plans are approved, I am confident that Laurel Park will become the model for racing and training facilities in the country."
