Laurel Park is approved for 120-day meet in 2026
The Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park received approval from the Maryland Racing Commission to conduct 120 days of live racing in 2026.
The Laurel Park winter meet will begin on Friday, Jan. 9, and run through Sunday, March 29.
In January, Laurel Park will offer live racing on Fridays and Saturdays. A Friday-through-Sunday live-racing schedule will begin in February and run through the end of the winter meet.
Here are some of the highlights of the Laurel Park Winter Meet:
Laurel’s 3-year-old stakes schedule will kick off Jan. 31 with the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for colts and geldings at seven furlongs, and the $100,000 Xtra Heat for fillies at six furlongs
The Feb. 14 card will feature four stakes races, including the $200,000 General George for older sprinters and the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie for fillies and mares, both at seven furlongs.
On Feb. 21, the local road to the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan will continue as 3-year-old colts race one mile in the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes and the fillies travel seven furlongs in the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes.
Sophomores again will take center stage March 21 in the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, and the $100,000 Beyond the Wire Stakes for fillies at one mile.
With the construction at Pimlico in full swing, Laurel Park is proud to host the 151st edition of the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in racing’s Triple Crown, on Saturday, May 16.
As in 2025, Laurel Park will take a summer hiatus in July and August, returning for live racing in September after the conclusion of the Maryland State Fair meeting at Timonium.