49 replies to this topic

[Mike in STL]

Honestly, the best thing they could probably do is figure out a way to build some triple-combination of racetrack/casino/fairgrounds out 95 in White Marsh or 795 in Owings Mills. Then you have a compromise of a Baltimore-area racetrack, in Maryland horse country, with highway (and possible Metro or MARC) access, two major events to structure the racetrack around (the Preakness weekend and State Fair), the other ancillary events that the current fairgrounds hosts, and, of course, a casino.

I'm confused. Build a new track out there north of the city, so it's not closer to DC. Have daily racing there, to build a culture that will support the Timonium and Pimlico facilities? Is that what you are implying? 

 

If so, maybe just upgrade the Timonium facility which is closer to Hunt Valley where real horse racing culture is, and have more races there. Gotta be room to attach a casino there. You have the light rail right there. 

[Mark Carver]

I'm not a horse racing guy, lust this years Preakness was a first for me seeing a jockey getting thrown off. I watched the replay of the race and was wondering about Bodexpress. The replay clearly shows the starter was holding onto him when the gates opened and the end result was that the jockey was thrown off. Commentators mentioned that they may refund the tickets that bet on him.

 

Did they refund the tickets?

 

What about the cost to the owners. Are there fees refunded?

[NewMarketSean]

From what I've heard that would be $400M+. Rather that go toward a new arena/convention center and maybe we can get something like college basketballs Big Ten Tournament. Minor league hockey (Could the Hershey Bears move here?). Better concerts.

 

Better conventions that are actually money making for the city. 

 

If they renovate Pimlico, it better come with a legit sports book because that is coming. A poker room, slots, live racing daily. And book a lot more events that could take place in the infield. A few festival style concerts. Motocross, monster trucks, if that stuff is still a thing? 

 

It is truly a facility that isn't worthy of a Triple Crown race anymore. It looked really shitty having half the front stretch blacked out with tarp. The aerial shots make the infield look really depleted from what attendance used to be. The infield has its elitists tents, and the EDM crowd which looked like maybe 500 people. Charge triple for infield tickets and let people bring coolers.

 

I can't think that the race helps the city economy too much. Out of towners probably stay in Hunt Valley. 

I read from former MJC people that the amount could be close to $250M and that they don't necessarily need to build it out like the $400M plans call for.

 

I tihnk the gist of it was, rebuild the centralized part of Pimlico (the glassed-in building where I was sitting, think it's the grandstand) and use temporary structures for Preakness and any other major races/events they hold there.

[glenn__davis]

Is the Laurel racetrack the same distance/configuration as Pimlico?

[NewMarketSean]

Is the Laurel racetrack the same distance/configuration as Pimlico?

 

Pretty sure it is.

 

Laurel has a pond in the infield. Any Preakness races at Laurel would have to be smaller or they'd have to fill in the pond.

[NewMarketSean]

https://theundefeate...e-of-preakness/

 

Good article about local residents and their feelings about the track and its future.

[NewMarketSean]

So say Preakness does move to Laurel without any plans to improve Pimlico. Is the Stronach Group just OK letting Pimlico get torn down? I imagine they bought the track...are they OK just letting it go?

[DJ MC]

So say Preakness does move to Laurel without any plans to improve Pimlico. Is the Stronach Group just OK letting Pimlico get torn down? I imagine they bought the track...are they OK just letting it go?

 

I'm guessing they own the property, so they'll profit on the sale or the development that happens.

[SBTarheel]

I'm not a horse racing guy, lust this years Preakness was a first for me seeing a jockey getting thrown off. I watched the replay of the race and was wondering about Bodexpress. The replay clearly shows the starter was holding onto him when the gates opened and the end result was that the jockey was thrown off. Commentators mentioned that they may refund the tickets that bet on him.

 

Did they refund the tickets?

 

What about the cost to the owners. Are there fees refunded?

I absolutely thought they'd render him a non starter. Clearly he was acting up in the gate and the starter held on for an extra tenth of a second or so. He was visibly upset at himself when Johnny V was thrown off. Not sure why they decided against it, so no refunds were given to bettors or "Team Bodexpress".

 

I've seen far less dramatic falls be called non starters. Oh well.

[NewMarketSean]

Progress being made between MJC and city officials.

 

https://www.wbaltv.c...imlico/28219973