The Maryland Stadium Authority announced Jan. 21 a tentative agreement to acquire Laurel Park from The Stronach Group, positioning Laurel as Maryland's primary year-round training center while Pimlico Race Course becomes the focus for racing in the state upon its reconstruction.
The proposed acquisition, outlined in an initial press release from the authority, represents a strategic pivot in a redevelopment plan. Shamrock Farm had been selected by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority in late 2024 as the site of the state's new Thoroughbred training center.
Going forward over the next few months, the authority will convene with local officials and industry leaders as part of a task force to determine Shamrock Farm's future, including potential use as a horse rescue sanctuary space or for future recreational development.
"This planned approach affords maximum flexibility, cost savings, and efficiencies going forward—on behalf of the state and Thoroughbred industry," said Maryland Economic Development Corporation executive director Tom Sadowski in the release.
By having training operations at Laurel, officials say the state will save an estimated $26.3 million in construction costs for hundreds of new stalls at Pimlico and continue to support about 500 jobs in the Laurel area. The new Maryland Jockey Club further expects to save $2.5 million annually in operating expenses with Laurel as the training base. Laurel can stable approximately 1,100 horses.
The release did not specify the cost to acquire Laurel Park from The Stronach Group. Upon finalization, the costs of the acquisition will be paid by the authority from available project funds, the release said. At that point, the state will pursue methods to offset these costs to include revenue bonds issued by the Maryland Economic Development Corporation.
"Using Pimlico Race Course as a ship-in track will allow The Maryland Jockey Club to operate a world-class racetrack efficiently, with all training consolidated at Laurel Park," Maryland Jockey Club executive director Bill Knauf added in the release.
The state expects to save an additional $22.5 million by pursuing alternatives to the previously designed large-scale, contiguous event center at Pimlico. The Stadium Authority still plans to develop gathering spaces at Pimlico's new clubhouse.
Pimlico's redevelopment, initially estimated at roughly $400 million, calls for a smaller, modernized grandstand, updated racing surfaces, and new community-oriented amenities. The 151st Preakness Stakes (G1) will be run at Laurel in 2026, with the second leg of the Triple Crown scheduled to return to Pimlico in 2027 once construction is complete.
Pimlico will soon become the permanent home of Maryland horse racing, with approximately 120 racing days there planned each year.
Opened in 1911, Laurel Park has long been a cornerstone of racing in Maryland, running most of the dates in the state in recent years. Under a master agreement approved in 2024, the state has leased the facility from The Stronach Group since Jan. 1, 2025, using it as a transition site while Pimlico undergoes demolition and reconstruction.
The announced Laurel Park training center agreement, pending necessary approvals, closing procedures, and final negotiations, reflects the evolving relationship between Maryland racing and The Stronach Group, which operates as 1/ST Racing. The company has controlled Pimlico and Laurel through various corporate entities over the past two decades before the Maryland Jockey Club came under a state-supported, nonprofit model designed to eliminate prolonged uncertainty about the sport's future in the state.
Racing and training operations in Maryland will continue to be overseen by the current state-supported Maryland Jockey Club.
