Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

MJC extends quarantine policy for jockeys

Details: 09 Aug

The Maryland Jockey Club will continue its jockey quarantine policy through September pending further developments in ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in Maryland and other Mid-Atlantic states.

Jockeys currently riding out of state who come to Maryland racetracks must quarantine for 14 days from their return from another state and must produce a negative COVID-19 test result obtained and resulted within 72 hours of riding in a race in Maryland.

Laurel Park has replaced the Maryland State Fair at Timonium on the state’s racing calendar this year and will hold its first stakes since the COVID-19 shutdown on Sept. 5 and Sept. 7. The summer meet continues through Saturday, Sept. 19.

Maryland racing moves to Pimlico Race Course for three days in September (Sept. 24-26) and three days in October (Oct. 1-3). The Preakness Stakes will be held on closing day, Oct. 3.

The MJC will continue to provide updates as warranted.

MD casinos post strong July numbers with limited capacity

Details: 07 Aug

Though they operated at only 50% capacity because of COVID-19 restrictions, Maryland’s six casinos in July generated $139.9 million in revenue, a drop of only 6.3% from the $149.3 million in revenue produced in July 2019, according to the latest statistics from Maryland Lottery and Gaming.

July was the first full month of casino operations since February of this year. The facilities were shuttered in mid-March and reopened in late June.

The Purse Dedication Account under Maryland’s casino law earns 6% of video lottery terminal revenue. The July 2020 figure was $5.32 million; the 80% share for Thoroughbred racing was $4.26 million.

For calendar year 2020, purses have earned $20.56 million from VLTs, $16.45 million for Thoroughbred racing.

Details of Lasix-free survey study, procedures provided

Details: 04 Aug

A survey study of all 2-year-olds that race in Maryland this year to determine the extent of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage is set to begin Friday, Aug. 7, at Laurel Park.

The Maryland Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee, which falls under the Maryland Racing Commission, on July 31 approved the plan for post-race video endoscopies of all starters in all 2-year-old races. The first 2-year-old races of the year in the state have been carded as extras for the Friday, Aug. 7 program.

August 2020 Newsletter Available

Details: 04 Aug

The August 2020 edition of the Horsemen's Newsletter is now online and available for download. To view this edition click here

The Horsemen's Newsletter is published monthly by the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and is mailed to licensed owners and trainers in the state of Maryland.

2-year-old races posted as extras for Aug. 7 at Laurel

Details: 02 Aug

The Maryland Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee Aug. 2 said it has approved the Maryland Racing Commission's emergency regulation on use of race-day Lasix in 2-year-olds, a decision that will facilitate the carding of races for 2-year-olds at Laurel Park.

No 2-year-old races have been run in Maryland so far this year. There are no such races in the current Laurel condition book, which runs through Aug. 22, so the races will be listed as extras on overnights.

Maryland Jockey Club President Sal Sinatra said there will be two late-breaking extras for Friday, Aug. 7: Lasix-free 2-year-old maiden special weights at five furlongs for 2-year-old colts and geldings and 2-year-old filles.

The MRC on July 16 approved—subject to adoption of an emergency rule—an agreement between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The Stronach Group/Maryland Jockey Club for a Lasix-free pilot program through 2023. The pilot program was subject to the approval by the AELR Committee of the revised Lasix regulation, which states that no 2-year-old can be administered Lasix within 48 hours of a race; the remainder of the regulation will not be changed.

In a related matter, the MRC Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee July 31 authorized a veterinary survey study of all 2-year-olds that race in Maryland through Dec. 31 of this year. The objective, as directed by the MRC, is to track the incidence of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in 2-year-olds racing without Lasix.

Under the survey study, veterinarians will take video endoscopies of all starters in 2-year-old races through Dec. 31, 2020. The MRC emergency regulation was approved for the standard six-month period—July 31, 2020, through Jan. 26, 2021.

Committee gives OK to begin Lasix survey study for 2-year-olds

Details: 01 Aug

The Maryland Equine Safety, Health and Welfare Advisory Committee July 31 approved a motion authorizing a survey study of all 2-year-olds who race in the state this year to determine the extent of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.

The committee, which falls under the Maryland Racing Commission, said the process of veterinarians taking video endoscopies will begin with the first 2-year-old races at Laurel Park. No 2-year-old races have been run this year—an agreement between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and The Stronach Group/Maryland Jockey Club on a no-Lasix "pilot program" ended the impasse that has forced 2-year-olds to race out of state for two months—but a ruling from the Maryland Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee on an emergency regulation allowing non-Lasix 2-year-old races was expected within days.