Laurel Park live racing on hiatus “until further notice”

Racing at Laurel Park without fans. Photo by Allison Janezic.
In the end all the changes didn’t matter.
The decision to race without owners, as well as fans; a protocol requiring people entering Laurel Park to have their temperature taken; a ban on shippers: none of it mattered.
Laurel Park will cease racing “until further notice,” the track announced this morning via text message, a decision taken “because of orders from Maryland Governor Hogan.”
The track had raced without fans last weekend, creating a somewhat odd spectacle, especially on Saturday when the track hosted four stakes races. On Sunday, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) issued an order closing all racetracks, off-track wagering facilities, and casinos to the “general public.”
That set off a scramble, which saw Laurel introduce new and tightened restrictions seemingly every day to limit attendance at the races to only”essential racing personnel.”
Heading into the weekend, it seemed the changes would be sufficient. Laurel has already drawn for the entire weekend, and two races from Laurel were set to be part of Friday’s now-canceled Stronach 5.
Now Laurel Park — like Parx Racing and Penn National in Pennsylvania, and Aqueduct in New York, among others — is shut down by the coronavirus.
LATEST MARYLAND NEWS
Trio of local stakes winners to hook up in General George
A trio of last-out Laurel Park stakes winners — Quint’s Brew, Celtic Contender, and Prince of Jericho — will meet in Saturday’s General George.
Irish Maxima tackles Fritchie in career-best form
Irish Maxima will look to kick of fher 4-year-old season in style when she tries her luck in Saturday’s Barbara Fritchie Stakes at Laurel Park.
Laurel Park jockeys and trainers to watch: Feb. 12
Who are the jockeys and trainers leading the standings at Laurel Park? And who’s flying under the radar you may want to notice?
How tiny Marlboro Race Track took down a Governor
Maryland’s live racing days once were a precious commodity that racetracks fought for, and a half-mile track like Marlboro could sink a Governor.
Laurel Park to host handicapping contest
The new Maryland Jockey Club will host a live-money, on-site and online handicapping contest April 19.
Laurel: Paradise Valley rallies to feature triumph
Paradise Valley overcame a stumbling start and a big deficit to win the Laurel Park allowance feature and has paid big dividends for his connections.