Maryland handle improves in ’25
Press Release
January 8, 2026
Fresh off a successful 2025 season, The Maryland Jockey Club rings in the New Year on Friday, January 9, the opening day of the Laurel Park Winter Meet.
In 2025, there were 1,109 races over 119 live racing days at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course. The average per-race handle was $365,637, up 14.29% from the previous year.
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The average daily handle for races at Laurel and Pimlico in 2025 reached $3,407,493, a 13.49% increase over 2024. The figures include Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days, although both for 2025 and 2026 remain under the control of the Stronach Group.
Field size increased slightly in 2025, with an average of 7.65 starters per race, up from 7.48 in 2024.
The popular “Preakness Preview Day” program on Saturday, April 19, generated $5,537,002, up from $2,889,324 in 2024.
“Preakness Preview Day” featured the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes and the $150,000 Weber City Miss Stakes. Both races were designated as “Win Today – See You in May” events, with the winners automatically receiving entry into the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes and the Grade 2 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, respectively.
The Jim McKay Maryland Million on Saturday, October 11, drew $5,707,200 in handle, up from $4,660,001 in 2025.
The 33-day Winter Meeting runs through Sunday, March 29. Racing is held on Fridays and Saturdays in January and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in February and March. The first race is at 12:00 pm ET, and Laurel Park’s wagering program features two “Value Pick 5” wagers. Both “Value Pick 5” wagers offer a 50-cent minimum play, a low 12% takeout rate, and carryover potential.
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