Pimlico Race Course – Page 2

Keeping the Preakness at Pimlico is again one of my top priorities this session.

I ran into a lobbyist who represents one of the interested parties. He gave me a piece of information. I responded with mine.

I told him that since we adjourned in April, I’ve been impressed by the interest of businesses and non-profits in developing the land adjacent to the race track. This would be in addition to renovating the racing facility.

Pimlico would become an economic engine year round, not just on Preakness Day.

I confirmed that the Maryland Stadium Authority is expected to approve Phase Two of its Preakness study at a February 6th meeting. A 30-day review and comment period by the budget chairs of the General Assembly will follow. The study is then expected to take 10-12 months.

All steps along the way to the necessary legislation at the 2019 session.

I write to you today as the chair of the Third Saturday in May committee.

That’s when the Preakness is run at Pimlico Race Course.

We took a major step this week to decide if that will be the case for decades to come.

The Maryland Stadium Authority approved a study to evaluate Pimlico’s ability to serve as the permanent home for the Preakness Stakes.

The Authority built Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium. Consequently, its work is highly regarded.

If this report recommends that the Preakness remain at Pimlico, it will create the justification and the momentum to do so.

To get this report on the Authority’s agenda, I brought together representatives of the Maryland Jockey Club, the Racing Commission, the City of Baltimore, and the Stadium Authority. We called ourselves the Third Saturday in May Committee.

There hasn’t been a World Series game in Baltimore since 1983. The Preakness is run every year. Almost without exception, the Kentucky Derby winner is here.

The Park Heights community, Baltimore City, and the metropolitan region all benefit from the Preakness.

Save the track, save the Preakness, help Park Heights.