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Maryland Delegate Pat McDonough wants to bring Preakness to Baltimore County

Posted at 7:49 AM, Jan 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-24 07:49:51-05

Maryland Delegate Pat McDonough wants to move Preakness from it's 142 year home at Pimlico into Baltimore County.

He sent this in a press release, ahead of his Thursday press conference:

In just a few months, there will be an air of excitement as the annual Preakness stakes comes to Pimlico Race Track.  Once again, the same problem will come into focus.  Concerns will be raised about the condition of the facility and its future.
     The current ownership has forcefully expressed in the past that they do not support rehabilitation of Pimlico Race Track.  Mr. Stronack, the principal owner, has made it clear he desires a new facility or moving the Preakness to Laurel Race Track in the Washington, D.C. suburbs.  Maryland politicians, including the last two governors are laboring under the mistaken belief that Mr. Stronack cannot change the Preakness location because of law.  They are wrong.  Mr. Stronack owns the race track, owns the Preakness, and can relocate anytime he wants to make the move.  Remember, the Mayflower moving vans hauling our beloved Colts out of Baltimore on that cold, snowy night.  Once they leave, they never come back.  
      It is time for ideas and action.  I have submitted legislation that will create a study group dedicated to the possibility of moving the Pimlico Race Track and the Preakness into Baltimore County.  There are plenty of open spaces and potential sites available.
     More specifically, I am proposing the creation of a Supertrack and Performance Center.  I believe Baltimore County needs an arena for special events and entertainment.  The Supertrack would be an innovative idea that combines an indoor race track with a multi-purpose performance arena.  It would be the most advanced state-of-the-art horseracing track in the nation.  
     The Supertrack and Performance Center must be privately funded.  Because there are a multitude of revenue sources beside horseracing, its financial potential would be excellent.
     It would be a great asset to the Baltimore region to retain Pimlico and the Preakness and to provide Baltimore County with an exciting facility for events and promotions.  Not only would it create jobs, but a new generation would be attracted to the great sport of horseracing and many new family events could be hosted in Baltimore County.

A rehabilitation of Pimlico would cost $300 million according to a study done in 2017. The owners of Pimlico, the Stronach Family, haven't said anything about moving the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

The family company also owns Laurel Park.

McDonough's press conference will take place at 10 a.m. in the lobby between the House and Senate Chambers in Annapolis.