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Laurel Park (racecourse)
Encyclopedia
Laurel Park is an American thoroughbred racetrack located just outside Laurel, Maryland
which opened in 1911. The track is 1 1/8 miles in circumference. Its name was changed to "Laurel Race Course" for several decades until returning to the "Laurel Park" designation in 1994. Repeated renovations have marked the course's nearly 100 years of operation, though Maryland's horse racing industry is flagging. Slot machines are seen as a possible revenue source to keep the course in operation.
businessmen and prominent horsemen, Philip J. Dwyer and James Butler purchased the track and appointed Matt Winn
as its promoter and manager. In 1947, the Maryland Jockey Club, which owned Timonium and Pimlico
, purchased Laurel Park. After the Maryland General Assembly
rejected the idea of replacing Pimlico with Laurel Park, the track was sold to Morris Schapiro
who had his son, John D. Schapiro, manage it.
The track was originally founded by James Laurel Jr.
From 1947 to 1984, Laurel Park underwent a period of great change. The track was renamed Laurel Race Course and the Washington, D.C. International was introduced at 1½ miles on the turf
. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the track was renovated extensively. In addition, it was awarded summer racing dates. In 1984, the track was sold to Frank J. DeFrancis and several business partners.
Laurel Park Racecourse was updated again with introduction of a 'Sports Palace' facility, renovation of the clubhouse, and exterior improvements. In August 1989, Frank DeFrancis died and his son, Joe DeFrancis, began managing the track. In 1994 the track's name returned to "Laurel Park". Yet more improvements included those to the main entrance, Grandstand interior and backstretch barns.
In 1998 Leucadia National Corporation acquired a significant interest in the Pimlico and Laurel tracks. A new backstretch housing facility followed, along with the opening of four clubhouse areas. Magna Entertainment Corp. bought majority control of the Maryland Jockey Club in 2002 and began another renovation of Laurel Park's track and facility in 2004 with a nearly seven-month closure of Laurel Park's backstretch and racing surfaces for widening, extension and restoration of the dirt surface.
On July 11–12, 1969 the Laurel Pop Festival
was held at the racecourse.
On March 23, 2010 an agreement was reached to sell the two Maryland Jockey Club tracks (Pimlico and Laurel Park) from Magna Entertainment Corporation to its parent company MI Development
. MI Development will receive the tracks from MEC in exchange for paying $25 million in cash for claims to Maryland Jockey Club creditors and $89 million to other creditors through a new reorganization plan. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware has until April 30 to approve Magna's reorganization plan.
which would likely place slot machine
s at Laurel Park and possibly generate enough revenue to keep the racecourse, which lost $3.6 million in 2006, in operation. Area residents had mixed views over the introduction of slots, with a greater number opposed to the idea. On November 8, 2007 the Maryland Senate approved a voter referendum on slot machine gambling. However, a slots license has been awarded to a developer to construct on slot parlor on the parking lot of Arundel Mills mall. Voters approved the zoning for the casino by referendum on November, 2nd, 2010.
Prior to the vote, the owners of Laurel Park had warned that they would close the park if the slots at the mall were approved and they were accused of trying to manipulate the vote. On November 3, 2010, the closure of Laurel Park at the end of the 2010 meet was announced. The Maryland Racing commission will meet in November to decide whether to permit the closure. It is expected that MI Development
will develop the land into a mixed-use development.
Grade 1
Stakes Races:
Grade 2 Stakes Races:
Grade 3 Stakes Races:
State-bred Showcase Stakes Races:
Listed (ungraded) Stakes Races:
The following stakes races are run at Laurel Park: in order of year inaugurated with (Season run)
Laurel, Maryland
Laurel is a city in northern Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County, Maryland, United States, located midway between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Incorporated in 1870, the city maintains a historic district including its Main Street...
which opened in 1911. The track is 1 1/8 miles in circumference. Its name was changed to "Laurel Race Course" for several decades until returning to the "Laurel Park" designation in 1994. Repeated renovations have marked the course's nearly 100 years of operation, though Maryland's horse racing industry is flagging. Slot machines are seen as a possible revenue source to keep the course in operation.
History
Laurel Park Racecourse opened October 2, 1911 under the direction of the Laurel Four County Fair. In 1914, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
businessmen and prominent horsemen, Philip J. Dwyer and James Butler purchased the track and appointed Matt Winn
Matt Winn
Colonel Martin J. "Matt" Winn was a prominent personality in American thoroughbred horse racing history and president of Churchill Downs racetrack, home to the Kentucky Derby race that he made famous....
as its promoter and manager. In 1947, the Maryland Jockey Club, which owned Timonium and Pimlico
Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course is a horse racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland, most famous for hosting the Preakness Stakes. Its name is derived from the 1660s when English settlers named the area where the facility currently stands in honor of Olde Ben Pimlico's Tavern in London...
, purchased Laurel Park. After the Maryland General Assembly
Maryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
rejected the idea of replacing Pimlico with Laurel Park, the track was sold to Morris Schapiro
Morris Schapiro
Morris Abraham Schapiro was an American investment banker and chess master.He was born in Lithuania in 1903 and came to the United States in 1907. He entered Columbia University on a Pulitzer Scholarship and led the university chess team to four national championships...
who had his son, John D. Schapiro, manage it.
The track was originally founded by James Laurel Jr.
From 1947 to 1984, Laurel Park underwent a period of great change. The track was renamed Laurel Race Course and the Washington, D.C. International was introduced at 1½ miles on the turf
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the track was renovated extensively. In addition, it was awarded summer racing dates. In 1984, the track was sold to Frank J. DeFrancis and several business partners.
Laurel Park Racecourse was updated again with introduction of a 'Sports Palace' facility, renovation of the clubhouse, and exterior improvements. In August 1989, Frank DeFrancis died and his son, Joe DeFrancis, began managing the track. In 1994 the track's name returned to "Laurel Park". Yet more improvements included those to the main entrance, Grandstand interior and backstretch barns.
In 1998 Leucadia National Corporation acquired a significant interest in the Pimlico and Laurel tracks. A new backstretch housing facility followed, along with the opening of four clubhouse areas. Magna Entertainment Corp. bought majority control of the Maryland Jockey Club in 2002 and began another renovation of Laurel Park's track and facility in 2004 with a nearly seven-month closure of Laurel Park's backstretch and racing surfaces for widening, extension and restoration of the dirt surface.
On July 11–12, 1969 the Laurel Pop Festival
Laurel Pop Festival
The Laurel Pop Festival was a music festival held at the Laurel Race Course in Laurel, MD on July 11–12, 1969.The festival featured Buddy Guy, Al Kooper, Jethro Tull, Johnny Winter. Edwin Hawkins and Led Zeppelin ; and Jeff Beck, Ten Years After, Sly and the Family Stone, Mothers of Invention,...
was held at the racecourse.
On March 23, 2010 an agreement was reached to sell the two Maryland Jockey Club tracks (Pimlico and Laurel Park) from Magna Entertainment Corporation to its parent company MI Development
Magna International
Magna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
. MI Development will receive the tracks from MEC in exchange for paying $25 million in cash for claims to Maryland Jockey Club creditors and $89 million to other creditors through a new reorganization plan. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware has until April 30 to approve Magna's reorganization plan.
Slot machines
Legislation was debated by the Maryland General AssemblyMaryland General Assembly
The Maryland General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is a bicameral body. The upper chamber, the Maryland State Senate, has 47 representatives and the lower chamber, the Maryland House of Delegates, has 141 representatives...
which would likely place slot machine
Slot machine
A slot machine , informally fruit machine , the slots , poker machine or "pokies" or simply slot is a casino gambling machine with three or more reels which spin when a button is pushed...
s at Laurel Park and possibly generate enough revenue to keep the racecourse, which lost $3.6 million in 2006, in operation. Area residents had mixed views over the introduction of slots, with a greater number opposed to the idea. On November 8, 2007 the Maryland Senate approved a voter referendum on slot machine gambling. However, a slots license has been awarded to a developer to construct on slot parlor on the parking lot of Arundel Mills mall. Voters approved the zoning for the casino by referendum on November, 2nd, 2010.
Prior to the vote, the owners of Laurel Park had warned that they would close the park if the slots at the mall were approved and they were accused of trying to manipulate the vote. On November 3, 2010, the closure of Laurel Park at the end of the 2010 meet was announced. The Maryland Racing commission will meet in November to decide whether to permit the closure. It is expected that MI Development
Magna International
Magna International Inc. , is an automotive supplier headquartered in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's largest automobile parts manufacturer, and one of the country's largest companies. It owns the Magna Steyr automobile production company of Austria....
will develop the land into a mixed-use development.
Racing
The following stakes races are run at Laurel Park: in order of grade (then year inaugurated) and Season runGrade 1
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
Stakes Races:
- Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash StakesFrank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash StakesThe Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. Open to horses aged three and older, it is competed on dirt over a distance of six furlongs. Run during the latter part of October, it currently offer a...
(1990) Autumn
Grade 2 Stakes Races:
- Barbara Fritchie HandicapBarbara Fritchie HandicapThe Barbara Fritchie Handicap is an American race for Thoroughbred horses run at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland each year. A Grade II, this race is open to fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race seven furlongs on the dirt and offers a purse of $300,000.The race is run in...
(1952) Winter - General George HandicapGeneral George HandicapThe General George Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually on Presidents' Day in mid February at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. A Grade II event, it is open to horses age three and older...
(1973) Winter
Grade 3 Stakes Races:
- Safely Kept Breeders' Cup Stakes (1986) Autumn
State-bred Showcase Stakes Races:
- Maryland Million ClassicMaryland Million ClassicMaryland Million Classic is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Classic, a horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million LadiesMaryland Million LadiesThe Maryland Million Ladies is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Ladies, a 3 year-old filly must be sired by a stallion who...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million TurfMaryland Million TurfMaryland Million Turf is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Turf, a horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in Maryland...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million Sprint HandicapMaryland Million Sprint HandicapMaryland Million Sprint Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Sprint Handicap, a horse must be sired by a stallion...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million Distaff HandicapMaryland Million Distaff HandicapMaryland Million Distaff Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap, a filly or mare must be sired by a...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million OaksMaryland Million OaksMaryland Million Oaks is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Oaks, a horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in Maryland...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million NurseryMaryland Million NurseryMaryland Million Nursery is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Nursery, a horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million LassieMaryland Million LassieMaryland Million Lassie is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 1986 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Nursery, a horse must be sired by a stallion who stands in...
(1986) Autumn - Maryland Million Turf Sprint HandicapMaryland Million Turf Sprint HandicapMaryland Million Turf Sprint Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in October since 2004 primarily at Laurel Park Racecourse in Laurel, Maryland or at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. To be eligible for the Maryland Million Turf Sprint Handicap, a horse must be sired by a...
(2004) Autumn
Listed (ungraded) Stakes Races:
The following stakes races are run at Laurel Park: in order of year inaugurated with (Season run)