Board of Public Works Approves State Purchase of Laurel Park

Maryland’s plan to preserve and strengthen the state’s Thoroughbred racing industry took another significant step forward today as the Maryland Board of Public Works approved the purchase of Laurel Park by the Maryland Stadium Authority.

The approval authorizes the State to complete its previously announced acquisition of the 229-acre Laurel Park property, which will become Maryland’s permanent Thoroughbred training center as part of the Pimlico Plus redevelopment initiative.

The purchase follows months of evaluation after the State determined that the previously proposed Shamrock Farm site was not the most practical or cost-effective location for the long-term training center. State officials concluded that utilizing Laurel Park’s existing infrastructure will substantially reduce construction costs while minimizing disruption for Maryland’s horsemen and the thousands of horses that train in the state each year.

Under the long-term plan:

• Laurel Park will transition into a year-round, state-owned Thoroughbred training center.
• The facility will continue to provide approximately 1,200 stalls along with established dirt and turf training surfaces.
• The newly rebuilt Pimlico Race Course will operate as a ship-in racing facility when construction is completed.
• Consolidating training operations at Laurel is expected to reduce operating costs while preserving a stable home base for Maryland horsemen.

The acquisition is a key component of Maryland’s broader effort to modernize its racing infrastructure while ensuring the long-term future of the industry. State officials have projected significant capital and operating savings by repurposing Laurel Park rather than constructing an entirely new training facility elsewhere.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has consistently supported the plan, emphasizing that maintaining Laurel Park as Maryland’s centralized training facility provides long-term stability for owners, trainers, backstretch workers, breeders, and the many businesses that depend on the racing industry.

Additional planning and design work for the Laurel Park training center will continue as the Maryland Stadium Authority advances the redevelopment process alongside construction of the new Pimlico Race Course.
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