With two weeks to go before the scheduled transfer of racing operations from The Stronach Group to a new state-owned, not-for-profit Maryland Jockey Club, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority board went into closed session at its Dec. 17 meeting to discuss acquisition of property for a new training center.
Three choices for the training center were identified in an MTROA report made public in January: the old Bowie Race Track site, the Rooney family's Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Md., and Mitchell Farm Training Center in Aberdeen.
Only Shamrock was discussed during open session Tuesday, and that is widely expected to be the MTROA's choice. When Shamrock Farm was mentioned during the meeting, MTROA chairman Greg Cross cut the discussion off, saying it would be taken up in closed session.
The new Pimlico Race Course is expected to have stalls for perhaps 600 horses. The MTROA will be looking to more than double that number via another approximately 700 stalls at a new training center. Plans also call for construction of a one-mile training track.
Shamrock Farm is located about 25 miles northwest of Baltimore. It was established in 1948 by Art Rooney, founding owner of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers. The farm currently encompasses about 640 acres, including two adjacent farms that have been purchased, according to its website.
Shamrock is owned by Thomas J. Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and his family. Rooney also sits on the MTROA board.
A bill passed earlier this year will lead to the eventual closure of Laurel Park, the rebuilding of Pimlico, and public acquisition of private land for the training center.
The state has use of Laurel until the end of 2027 via a lease with Stronach. The Preakness Stakes (G1) will be at Pimlico in 2025 for its 150th anniversary edition, then moves to Laurel in 2026. The new Pimlico is expected to be ready to host the Preakness in 2027.
During the public comment period of the meeting, trainer Katie Voss, president of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said she hopes trainers will be involved in the barn design process at both Pimlico and the new training center.
There also were some transparency concerns voiced. Trainer Timothy Keefe asked for an update on the status of the new Maryland Jockey Club and board that will run racing operations in Maryland. It hasn't been announced who will be on that board or how it will work.
"It seems to me if you're 14 days away from handing over the reins to a new entity that's going to run the industry basically in Maryland, how come it hasn't that happened yet?" Keefe asked.
Chairman Cross said the new board will not be seated by Jan. 1. He said it could take a few months.
"It will be seamless on January 1. The one thing that has not happened is the identity of the board members," Cross said. "The Board isn't necessary for us to operate. The president (Bill Knauf) can operate it, you know, just like any other company."
