Maryland racing’s brave new world arrives Friday at Laurel Park, and while much will appear similar, most people likely will focus on what’s different.
The Maryland Racing Commission on Dec. 23 signed off on the new nonprofit Maryland Jockey Club to operate Laurel Park in the new year.
A board to govern the new Maryland Jockey Club, a new training center, and new breeder incentives are top priorities for Maryland’s horsemen and breeders.
The new nonprofit Maryland track operator has its work cut out for it, but head Bill Knauf said he believes all the tools are in place for it to succeed.
The Maryland Racing Commission tapped the brakes on the switch from private racetrack ownership to a nonprofit, but the MTROA expects a quick resolution.
Laurel Park’s 2025 winter-spring meet stakes schedules looks very similar to its 2024 slate and includes 25 stakes.
Maryland Jockey Club track superintendent Ken Brown has retired effective Dec. 1, with longtime crew member Danny Finke the interim replacement.
The Maryland Jockey Club will race 120 days in 2025, with seven more days run at Timonium, under a slate approved by the Racing Commission Monday.
Bill Knauf, a longtime executive at Monmouth Park, will take the reins as the new head of the Maryland Jockey Club.
With Pimlico having closed August 31, Maryland Jockey Club president Mike Rogers called Old Hilltop a “valuable part of our organization” in a statement.
