Going Forward With Pimlico
No doubt you have been following the news about Pimlico Race Course now becoming the premier track for Maryland racing.
I have to remark on how far we have come in regards to this historic treasure. Just 20 years ago, many were going to sit by and let The Stronach Group close Old Hilltop and move Baltimore's only annual international event to another location. Just six years ago some were convinced that the only way to save Pimlico, and keep the Preakness Stakes (G1), was to give away over half of its acreage to non-racing development. Those who fought against this short-sighted solution were cautioned to not let the perfect become the enemy of the good. It took a virus outbreak to put those plans out of action.
With the formation of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, local control of a sport that in this state dates back to 1743 is finally being restored. They have formulated a non-profit plan that will break even and keep the multibillion-dollar Maryland horse industry working: an industry with side benefits such as land preservation and clean air and water. So much is good with this plan and I am praying that the Maryland General Assembly agrees.
There are however a few flaws, the major one being the destruction of the original 1870 oval. Option One would have kept it and Option Two would "rotate" (read "destroy") it. For several reasons (fire codes, one extra acre for developers), Option Two is now being touted but they are making a big mistake.
When people come to Old Hilltop, it is not just to see a horse race. They want to see exactly where history happened. Not over there. HERE. The authenticity, the atmosphere, the track records, and even the ashes of deceased fans, need to be respected.
At least ONE of the wooden stakes barns should be preserved, preferably the one with the Derby winner's stall. Can you imagine how many people would want to stand where Secretariat stood? An old stable is like a step back in time. Part of this building could be used for community equine outreach; an idea that seems to have been dropped from all the new plans.
To give the public something less than the real thing is to cheat them. And it is an insult to the numerous equines and persons who made this unique Baltimore site stand the test of time.
I know that I will be accused, once again, of sacrificing the good for the perfect. But if we can keep as much of Old Hilltop's history intact, it won't be just good, it will be the best.
April Smith
Ruxton, Md.
Friends of Pimlico
New Jersey Lesson Could Help California
The juxtaposition of stories about racing in New Jersey and California in the March 21 BloodHorse Daily was startling as it confirmed my unstudied position about an underlying, but not reported, issue that has helped hasten the decline in racing in California. As some owners and trainers in New Jersey were quoted as saying, the domination of two cheating trainers sucked so much purse money away from the other stables that it had become very, very difficult to survive there.
The federal convictions and jailing of the New Jersey-based cheaters, Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, subsequently redirected that money to the others, who were now winning their share, and uplifted the entire racing product in the state.
For years, I have posited the notion that something similar was happening in Southern California, especially, and that the entire scene was made very difficult for the smaller stables there.
Al Milano
Lexington
