Laurel dirt surface to be stripped, base examine

The entire Laurel Park dirt surface will be stripped of all material and the base inspected during a project that began April 16 and could take two to three weeks to complete, officials said during a racing community Zoom meeting hosted by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association.

The Maryland Jockey Club and its parent company, The Stronach Group (1/ST RACING), on April 15 announced that racing at Laurel would be suspended and the spring meet would move to Pimlico Race Course beginning Thursday, April 22. The MJC said the Laurel dirt track had not responded sufficiently to cushion repairs made during the winter meet.

The surface will be stripped from the rail out and horses will be permitted to gallop or jog on the outside of the track. Cones will be in place to separate the maintenance work area from the rest of the surface. On Saturday, April 17, training hours will be 5-8:30 a.m. with no break.