Board Of Director's Wrap-up - January 2021

The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association are working on plans to link a series of stakes with a bonus component under the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships Series format in 2021.

MATCH was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 restrictions that led to months-long shutdowns. Citing potential continued instability in racing as well as lost purse revenue caused by casino closures, representatives of the participating racetracks late last fall agreed to not hold the series in 2021 and to plan for its return in 2022.

MJC President Sal Sinatra had suggested during the MATCH stakeholders' meeting that perhaps Maryland could host a mini MATCH Series to bridge the gap. On Jan. 19 he asked the MTHA Board of Directors to consider using the bonus money it would have contributed to MATCH for the Maryland-only series.