It has been reported that track owner Frank Stronach today said that a verbal agreement which calls for 140 live race dates has been reached for the 2011 thoroughbred season in the State of Maryland. Although, other parties in
the equation have not confirmed.
An article by The Baltimore Sun explains that Stronach -- the chairman and chief executive officer of MI Developments, the majority owner of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course -- has stated that a deal has been struck with the horsemen.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's attorney, Alan Foreman, was quoted as saying, "There is no agreement with Frank Stronach."
The article states that there were 146 dates of live thoroughbred racing in Maryland in 2010. Therefore, if the reported agreement is in fact true, there would only be a reduction of six live racing dates for the upcoming campaign.
MI Developments, in partnership with Penn National Gaming, operates the two tracks via the Maryland Jockey Club.
Eric Schippers, a spokesman for Penn National, went on the record as saying, "It's still somewhat of a fluid situation. We want to withhold or reserve comments.'
The Maryland Racing Commission has a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, December 21) at Laurel.
(With files from The Baltimore Sun)
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