They'll be off at Pimlico on April 2 for the spring stand. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.

They’ll be off at Pimlico on April 2 for the spring stand. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.

From a Maryland Jockey Club release

As first reported in The Racing Biz, the Maryland Jockey Club will broadcast the 2015 spring meet at Pimlico in high-definition television.

The company announced on Monday that it had invested $1.5 million to do so.

Along with the installation of approximately 150 new high-definition televisions throughout Pimlico, opening day at Pimlico will also feature all new graphics on its daily broadcast. The Maryland Jockey Club has partnered with International Sound Corporation on the upgrades at Pimlico.

The Maryland Jockey Club’s upgrade to its daily broadcast at Pimlico comes after investing approximately $7 million in Laurel Park.

“We are very excited about going high-definition and anxious for the public to see the new graphics on our daily show,” said Maryland Jockey Club General Manager Sal Sinatra. “Pimlico is an historic track, and it plays hosts to one of sport’s most iconic events in the Preakness Stakes. I think our fans will be pleased with the new direction we’re taking for a more vibrant telecast.”

Joe Gordon, executive vice president of International Sound, said: “We’re pleased to partner with The Stronach Group and Maryland Jockey Club in moving forward to begin a new high-definition era at Pimlico Race Course.”

There will be free admission and live programs Thursday. First race post is 1:10 p.m. The spring meet runs through June 6 and will be highlighted by the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of racing’s Triple Crown, on Saturday, May 16, and Black-Eyed Susan Day – the Ultimate Girls Day Out – Friday, May 15.