Action Items from the January 2026 MTHA Board of Directors Meeting

Below are the action items adopted by the MTHA Board of Directors at its open meeting at Laurel Park on January 20, 2026.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The Board of Directors unanimously approved the following slate of officers for one-year terms:

President: Katharine M. Voss; Vice Presidents: Timothy L. Keefe & Linda S. Gaudet; Treasurer: Michael F. Horning; Secretary: A. Ferris Allen

TIMONIUM

‍The Board expressed openness to new ideas and alternative approaches concerning the Timonium State Fair meet. However, the Board also conveyed a strong preference to maintain the seven-day meet, unless a workable plan can be developed to conduct racing at Laurel Park or Fair Hill during Travers weekend.

ASSOCIATION DUES

‍The Board unanimously approved an increase in the Association Due to 2.5% of purses paid retroactive to January 1, 2026.

JOCKEY MOUNT FEES

‍Pending jockey approval, the MTHA Board unanimously approved the attached jockey mount fees and deductions for Overnight and Stakes races that includes an increase in jockey losing mount fees from $100 to $125. This would be effective upon approval of the jockeys.

END-OF-YEAR AWARDS

‍The Board unanimously approved the elimination of the rule that disqualified owners, trainers, and jockeys from consideration for end-of-year awards if they did not start 50% of their horses in Maryland.

In addition, the Board unanimously approved allowing TMJC handicappers to participate in the voting for these awards, alongside the MTHA Board of Directors.

RENAISSANCE AWARDS

‍The Board unanimously expressed a preference to reformat the Renaissance Awards from an evening dinner to a luncheon held at Laurel Park during a live racing day, to be conducted in the dining room in conjunction with the Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) and the Maryland Horse Breeders’ Association (MHBA).

COLONIAL DOWNS

‍The Board unanimously expressed a preference to reschedule the three live racing days currently scheduled at Laurel Park in March to other dates on the calendar, in order to avoid coinciding with the three-day Virginia Derby meet at Colonial Downs.

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