Exciting Horse Racing Action n Maryland!

Laurel Park racecourse is a 360-acre thoroughbred horse racecourse in Laurel, Maryland. Laurel Park racecourse has two race meetings: the Fall and the Winter Meet. Racing during the Fall Meet is typically held from September to December. It is followed quickly by the Winter Meet that starts from January to April.

Laurel Park Racecourse Description

Laurel Park racecourse has a 1-mile Dirt track and a 7/8 th mile Turf track within the Dirt oval. The Stable Area has 880 stalls. The track has 116 rooms for accommodations + 20 more during important Stakes. Laurel Park racecourse kitchen located off backstretch between 1/2 mile pole and 3/8 pole. 

Maryland Million and other Stakes events

Laurel Park Racecourse is co-host to the Maryland Million - one of the Old Line State 's biggest horse race events of the year. The Maryland Million was envisioned as a local version of the Breeders Cup, and became so popular with both fans and horsemen. The Maryland Million has become the biggest racing day of the fall, and is eclipsed in local importance only by the Preakness Stakes, the venerable second leg of the American Triple Crown.

Among the other big stakes events hosted by Laurel Park racecourse include:

• Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash Stakes
• Barbara Fritchie Handicap
• General George Handicap
• Laurel Futurity
• Selima Stakes
• Miracle Wood Stakes

Laurel Park racecourse History

• On October 2, 1911, Laurel Park racecourse opened.

• In 1914, businessmen and avid horsemen Philip J. Dwyer and James Butler purchased the track and appointed Matt Winn as its promoter and manager.

• In 1947, the Maryland Jockey Club purchased Laurel Park racecourse.

• Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Laurel Park racecourse was renovated extensively.

• In 1984, Laurel Park racecourse was sold to Frank J. DeFrancis and several business partners.

• In August 1989, Frank DeFrancis died and his son, Joe DeFrancis, began managing Laurel Park racecourse.

• In 1994, the racecourse's name returned to "Laurel Park". Yet more improvements included those to the main entrance, Grandstand interior and backstretch barns.

• In 1998, Leucadia National Corporation acquired a significant interest in the Pimlico and Laurel tracks.

• In 2002, Magna Entertainment Corp. bought majority control of the Maryland Jockey Club.

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