Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

MTHA Board Approves Purse Distribution Changes

Details: 04 Jul

The MTHA Board of Directors voted June 29 to change overnight purse distribution levels effective July 2. First place will be 60%, up from 57%; second place is 20%, down from 21%; third place is 10% rather than 11%; and fourth place will be 5% instead of 6%. Fifth place will be 3% (plus 1% for the fifth-through-last place bonus) and sixth place will be 2% (plus a 2% for the fifth-through-last place bonus). The 4% bonus remains in place for horses that finish seventh through last.

Mobile Dental Unit Coming This Fall

Details: 04 Jul

The MTHA Board of Directors has approved a plan to offer mobile dental care at the state’s racetracks.

The horsemen’s group reached out to The Mobile Dentist, which is a complete mobile dual-operators dental office that provides all general dental services in a 30-foot custom-built coach. The Mobile Dentist, which has two mobile units, is based in Silver Spring, Md.

Timonium Fair Meet Significantly Bolstered

Details: 04 Jul

The Maryland State Fair at Timonium will offer the highest daily average purses in its history for the seven-day meet that runs from Friday, Aug. 27, to Monday, Sept, 6, and will experiment with a “twilight” racing card on opening day.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors June 29 unanimously approved a 15% across-the-board overnight purse increase from July 2 through the end of 2021. Timonium’s base purses, normally lower than those at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, will be the same—including the 15% in additional funds.

Second phase of Pimlico barn transition underway

Details: 04 Jul

The second phase of the transition for the temporary stalls in use at Pimlico Race Course on the grandstand side of the facility will take place July 5-7, according to a project timeline.

As of July 3, a smaller 18-stall tent was occupied by horses that had been housed in temporary stalls that had to be returned to the vendor for use elsewhere. In addition, a large tent structure that will house 66 stalls has been erected. Part of it already is being used as a Receiving Barn, and some horses relocated from the original temporary stalls had taken up residence.

July 2021 Newsletter Available

Details: 02 Jul

The July 2021 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.

Tim Salzman latest Timonium barn awards winner

Details: 01 Jul

Trainer Tim Salzman, who relocated his stable to the Maryland State Fair at Timonium because of the ongoing reconstruction of the Laurel Park dirt track, is the latest to be recognized by State Fair officials for having a "best kept" barn.

Trainers Bobby Leaf and Laura Roadcap were earlier winners. The State Fair, which currently is housing more than 550 horses from Laurel, the week of June 6 began recognizing trainers who keep the area around their barns spruced up. One barn is recognized each week for as long as the horses are stabled at Timonium during the reconstruction of the Laurel dirt track.