What's Happening Across Maryland Racing

Effective Oct. 1, the Maryland Jockey Club and MTHA will begin using the free messaging app WhatsApp to disseminate information and updates related to the racing office, training hours, entries and anything that is usually release via text messages.

Following a successful all-day Mental Health First Aid program held June 13 at Laurel Park, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association on Aug. 24 hosted a two-hour session geared toward the racing community’s hispanic population.

Frank Douglas, who coordinates events for backstretch workers on behalf of MTHA at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, has prepared a slate of events for September and October that includes many trips off site.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association election for its Board of Directors, held every three years, will take place in December 2023. All 15 board seats are up for election.

Eugene E. “Gene” Gilhooly, who was part owner of Schoolyard Stable and was a regular at Maryland racetracks for many years, passed away Aug. 17 after a bout with pneumonia. He was 94.Gilhooly and his wife, Inez, raised two daughters after moving to Annapolis. He was an elementary school principal for more than 30 years at schools in nearby Linthicum, Tyler Heights and Davidsonville. His students adored him and he kept in touch with many throughout his life.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association election for its Board of Directors, held every three years, will take place in December 2023. All 15 board seats are up for election.

The Maryland State Fair at Timonium will offer seven days of live racing from Friday, Aug. 25, through Monday, Sept. 4 under a schedule approved Aug. 1 by the Maryland Racing Commission. Racing will held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays plus Monday, Labor Day. First post time is set for 12:35 p.m. each day.

Maryland Jockey Club continues work on a plan to transfer the roughly 200 horses stabled at Pimlico Race Course to Laurel Park, but the timeframe hinges upon completion of years-long work in the three large tent barns at Laurel Park.

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced that it has launched a mobile HIWU app to assist horsemen with the components of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program.

After productive discussions with THA horsemen’s groups that raised serious questions about provisional suspensions issued by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and its Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, the two entities on July 28 announced a policy change effective immediately that postpones enactment of the provisional suspension—with exceptions based upon the type of banned substance—until the results of a split sample for a positive test are received.