Live racing returns to Laurel Park Friday, Sept. 5. The 52-day Fall Meet features the 40th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million on Saturday, October 11, premium live events throughout the season, and a bettor-friendly 12% takeout on "Value Pick 5" wagers.
Live racing is conducted on a Friday through Sunday schedule with first post time at 12:10 p.m. ET. The first post time on Maryland Million Saturday is 11:30 a.m. ET.
Additionally, Laurel Park will run a special Thanksgiving Day program on Thursday, November 27. The first post time on Thanksgiving Day is 11:25 a.m. ET. Laurel Park will again participate in the popular "Pie Giveaway" on Thanksgiving Day.
Jim McKay Maryland Million Day is a one-day sire stakes program offering purses and awards of more than $1 million. It was created in 1986 by the renowned ABC Sports broadcaster and Marylander Jim McKay.
The race day focuses on Maryland-sired horses, giving breeders, owners, and trainers a day to showcase their homegrown talent. It quickly became one of the most anticipated events on the Maryland racing calendar and is known as "Maryland's Day at the Races"
Opening weekend features two $100,000 stakes races on Saturday as well as a special "Labor Day Barbecue" event. Also, Laurel Park's "Bubbly Brunch Sundays" return for the entire meet with updated menu items. For more information on "Bubbly Brunch Sundays," please visit https://www.laurelpark.com/sundaybrunch/
Another premium event is "Cigars on the Rail" on Saturday, September 20. Enjoy premium cigars, an open bar, exclusive door prizes, and a trackside luncheon while enjoying the region's best thoroughbreds. Laurel's feature race that afternoon is the $100,000 Weather Vane Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. Learn more at https://www.laurelpark.com/cigarsontherail/
Other scheduled events include "Oystoberfest" on Saturday, October 4, Laurel Park's "Food Truck Festival" on Saturday, October 18, "Veteran's Appreciation Day" on Saturday, November 8, "Football Mania Weekend" from Friday, November 28 through Sunday, November 30, the "TMJC Toy Drive" on Saturday, December 6, and "Brunch with Santa" on Sunday, December 14.
Online and hybrid handicapping contests return to Laurel Park for the Fall Meet. The "Charm City Challenge" is a free online tournament where players make selections on the last five races of each Laurel Park card during this meet. Based on the popular "Pick and Pray" handicapping tournaments, the "Charm City Challenge" offers cash prizes to the contestant with the highest cumulative bankroll for the entire Laurel Park Fall Meet. In addition, any contestant who selects a "cold" Pick 5 sequence on a given day receives a cash bonus. Players must register by 11:00 a.m. ET on September 12, 2025. For more information, visit https://www.charmcitypick5.com/
The Laurel Park Autumn Handicapping Challenge is a one-day, on-site or online handicapping contest taking place at Laurel Park or through Xpressbet and TVG/4NJBETS only. The $500 contest ($250 entry fee, $250 bankroll) will take place Saturday, September 27. Based on 120 entries, the total prize pool is worth $25,000, including a Full Seat to the Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, two National Handicapping Championship Prize Packs, and cash awards.
There are several "super stakes" days during the Fall Meet. Three $100,000 races on grass are the marquee events on Laurel Park's "Fall Turf Festival" on Saturday, September 13.
Two-year-olds turf performers strut their stuff in the $100,000 Laurel Futurity for colts and geldings, and the $100,000 Selima Stakes for fillies on Saturday, September 27. Among the past winners of the Laurel Futurity are legendary horses such as Count Fleet, Citation, Secretariat, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, and Barbaro.
Don't miss your favorite college and pro football teams as Laurel Park's sportsbook shows all the action on our giant television screens. Plus, simulcast wagering on top tracks from throughout the country is available at Laurel Park on a Wednesday through Sunday schedule.
The Fall Meet runs through Sunday, December 28. Free "Handicapping 101" materials are available to new fans interested in learning how to play the races. Experienced horseplayers can access Laurel Park's "Handicapping Guide" with picks, analysis, trainer stats, horses to watch, track bias information, and trip notes. The free "handicapping guide" is available each day at https://www.laurelpark.com/picks/
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If there are any questions please contact the organization that produced the release.
