They closed and spend months resurfacing it 2 or 3 years ago. My understanding ( and memory from my youth) is the track was built on a swamp - the parking lot use to flood regularly. And now climate change and even more paved over development all around it. It also seems horsemen do not have confidence in the team responsible for the track surface. It is a shame as md purses are robust right now.
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In my opinion it is not possible to fix Laurel once and for all anymore than it is to fix I-95 once and for all. Laurel is built on a swamp so the water table underneath the base is consistently inconsistent. Always has been, always will be. There are times of relative stability following a complete rebuild or during long dry spells but they won’t last for long. I personally trained at Pimlico as long as the stable area itself was open in large part for that fact even though it meant every horse I ran was a shipper.
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Move the race? Move the dates of the race? Close Pimlico? It all seems to be up in the air.
Key Players Surprised, Unmoved About Preakness Comments - BloodHorse
Well, this is interesting. If they are really going to rebuild and improve Pimlico, rather than tearing it down, that would be kind of cool. I hope that they are able to keep some of the features that make it so iconic.
Maryland Eyes State-Run, Non-Profit Racing Model - BloodHorse
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Possible training center sites:
“Working with the Authority, eight candidate sites for the offsite training center were identified for consideration. These sites including the following: - Rosecroft Raceway - Bowie Training Center - Timonium Race Track at the Maryland State Fairgrounds - Laurel Race Track - Naval Dairy Farm in Gambrills - Fair Hill Natural Resources Area and the Fair Hill Training Center - Mitchell Farm a greenfield site near the Aberdeen Proving Ground - Shamrock Farm a greenfield site near Sykesville, Maryland”
Have I mentioned I hate Stronach with every fiber in my being anymore?
I’m just glad Maryland is willing to take the reins on this clusterf*ck. But the bill Stronach left behind… oy vey. Plus I’m scared to death of “public ownership” because most of the public is anti-racing.
And I’m pissing mad about Laurel.
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Laurel needs to go. It’s literally built on swampland, there is no way it can be safe. I am dead set against any plan that alters the configuration of the track itself because to me that defeats the purpose of saving Pimlico in the first place but if that is the only way to save racing in Maryland I guess it is better than nothing.
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What do you think of some of these plans with barns in the middle of the track (or multi-level barns?) Hardly seems horse friendly, plus barns in the center likely need tunnels and we know how that causes problems for track surfaces.
I always loved Delaware (in the old days) as so many horses did so well there and were happy-as there were sand paths and an alternative training track and different ways to come and go from the track(s) and some green grass to hand graze. Here the focus on horse welfare does not seem to extend past the track surface.
(edited to correct-no condo barns.)
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Assuming you are asking me I have never seen any plans that have barns in the infield or multi level barns so can’t comment on that. Barns in the infield wouldn’t work at Pimlico especially once they make the grandstand 1/4 the size it is now. They need that room for people
I hope that the people who actually understand the needs of those working at the track are heard.
Housing Concerns Raised After MD Authority Proposals - BloodHorse
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Good point, maybe I misread, but does not sound possible. (I think one of the training sites proposed Condo barns… but maybe I need better glasses…)
I think I saw that but I interpreted it as building barns and living quarters for backside workers. 
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I think you are right-Mitchell Site does shows barns in the middle of the track (because of size limitations) but I am not seeing condo barns…
Now Maryland can try and find the money to update Pimlico
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They are moving right along…
Maryland Step Closer on Pimlico-Centered Racing Plan - BloodHorse
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Interesting piece about the rebuilding of Belmont and Pimlico. Unfortunately, no artists renderings of Pimlico
Racing Banking on New Facilities to Generate Fans - BloodHorse
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