First look: Proposed Pimlico, Laurel Park upgrades

The Stronach Group and mayor of Baltimore unveiled an ambitious plan Saturday that would keep the Preakness Stakes at an overhauled Pimlico Race Course and enhance the sustainability of year-round racing and training at Laurel Park.

The plan for Pimlico would include demolishing the aged grandstand and replacing it with a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and community events center. The new facilities would be available for multi-purpose and community uses when live racing isn’t being conducted. This would include the clubhouse, as well as the racing facilities and infield, which would be used for athletic and recreational purposes.

A more in-depth look at renderings and site plans can be seen in PDF files at the bottom of this page.

The plan for Laurel also includes a new state-of-the-art clubhouse and “world-class racing and training facilities.” Racing and training changes would include an all-weather Tapeta track and new stables/training facilities designed in what’s being called a “horsemen’s village setting.”

The Maryland Jockey Club, which is operated by The Stronach Group, and Baltimore Mayor Bernard Young submitted the plans this week to Gov. Larry Hogan and other high-ranking state officials for review. The Baltimore Sun reports the plan must pass several legislative hurdles before any action can be taken. 

“This is a first step, but an important one," said Alan Rifkin, counsel for the Maryland Jockey Club and Preakness Stakes/ "We believe we have presented for consideration a truly transformative plan for racing and the many stakeholders and communities of interest who are connected to racing and these facilities, and we’ve done so within existing sources of funds already available to the industry and the city."

Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore opened in 1870 and is the country’s second-oldest racetrack. It hosted the first Preakness Stakes in 1873. Laurel Park Race Course opened in 1911. 

Pimlico Concept Plans




Laurel Park Concept Plans