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
Stakes winners Lebda, Princess Cadey staying home
Though there’s been no Maryland racing in two months, trainer Claudio Gonzalez has kept stakes winners Lebda and Princess Cadey home.
Preakness 145 to be held October 3 at Pimlico
Preakness 145 will take place – as rumors had suggested – October 3 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.
Preakness 145 date to be unveiled Saturday on NBC
The date for Preakness 145 will be unveiled Saturday on NBC as part of a two-hour – half-online, half-TV – celebration of the Middle Jewel.
Laurel posts dateless condition book
It does not include live racing dates, but in a positive sign for the return of racing, Laurel Park has released a condition book for its return to action.
Mr. Big News has “great perk” in Preakness spot
With a stunning 46-1 upset in the Oaklawn Stakes earlier this month, lightly regarded Mr. Big News made headlines himself and earned a spot in the Preakness.
Fravel: Preakness could go before Derby
Stronach Group exec Craig Fravel, in an interview with NBC Sports, said Wednesday that the Preakness might end up running prior to the Kentucky Derby.
