Laurel posts dateless condition book

Laurel Park on Maryland Million day. Photo by Allison Janezic.

The Maryland Jockey Club has released a spring condition book for Laurel Park covering a period of 15 days ahead of the still-undetermined resumption of live racing in the state.

Specific dates have not been set. As part of Gov. Larry Hogan’s statewide shutdown, live racing was paused in Maryland following the March 15 program at Laurel out of concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Highlighting the early condition book is the highly anticipated seasonal debut of racing over Laurel’s world-class turf course. Six grass races are in the book for the first day, including a $40,000 maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles and both a $55,000 open allowance and $47,000 optional claiming allowance at 5 ½ furlongs – all for fillies and mares 3 and up.

A total of 148 races and 42 substitute races are in the spring condition book, including 71 turf races. It was put together by Jillian Tullock, who worked in several capacities for the MJC from 1994-2019, including assistant racing secretary under Georganne Hale, before being appointed racing secretary March 5.

The 2020 spring condition book (PDF version) can be viewed at the MJC website.

Laurel successfully held three spectator-free programs prior to pausing live racing, including a March 14 card featuring four $100,000 stakes led by the Private Terms for 3-year-olds, won by Lebda, and the Beyond the Wire for 3-year-old fillies, won by Claudio Gonzalez-trained stablemate Princess Cadey.

LATEST MARYLAND NEWS