Highlights from the March 2026 MTHA Board of Directors meeting

Below are the action items approved during the MTHA Board of Directors meeting held at Laurel Park on Thursday, March 19, 2026:

‍COMMUNICATION TO BOARD

The Board approved the creation of a dedicated email address to encourage member engagement and communication. This email will allow Members to submit feedback, ideas, and suggestions directly to all members of the Board with a single message to board@mdhorsemen.com. All submissions will be directly sent to the full Board of Directors for review and consideration.

BACKSTRETCH PENSION

The Board reaffirmed the existing five-year forfeiture policy for the Backstretch Pension Plan, under which non-vested funds in accounts that have remained inactive for more than five years are forfeited in accordance with plan guidelines.

PAYMENTS TO LAST

The Board approved an increase in minimum purse payouts for all placing positions, effective immediately, raising the minimum purse from $500 to $1,000.

Under this revised structure:

- 4th place will receive 5% of the purse or $1,000, whichever is greater.

- 5th place will receive 3% of the purse or $1,000, whichever is greater.

- 6th place will receive 2% of the purse or $1,000, whichever is greater.

- 7th through last place will receive a minimum of $1,000.

OUT OF STATE BONUSES

The Board approved the continuation of the Maryland-Bred Out-of-State Owner and Developer Bonus Program for 2026, utilizing parameters consistent with the 2025 program.

A total of $700,000 has been allocated for the program, to be split evenly between MD Bred Owner Bonuses and MD Bred Developer Bonuses.

The program will run from July 3, 2026 through August 23, 2026.

OFF THE TURF PURSES

The Board approved a 20% purse increase for dirt races taken off the turf that maintain seven or more betting interests, effective through June 28, 2026.

This program will be reassessed and must be reauthorized in order to continue into the Fall of 2026.

PREFERENCES

The Board approved a recommendation to Maryland Jockey Club for modification to the current Preference policy, prioritizing horses based on the following order:

(1) Date for Horses Stabled in Maryland;

(2) Maryland Bred Status;

(3) Date for all other horses.

(4) Maryland Bred Status.

ELECTION RESULTS

The Board approved publishing full election results and vote totals in all subsequent elections.

BYLAW AMENDMENTS

OWNERS

The Board voted to amend the bylaws to state that no member shall be eligible to run or be put on the ballot as an owner-only candidate unless he or she holds an ownership interest in one (1) or more horses that collectively have made a minimum of five (5) starts at a Maryland track licensed to conduct thoroughbred racing in the 365 days immediately preceding the close of nominations for the election.

TRAINERS

The Board voted to amend the bylaws to state that no member shall be eligible to run or be put on the ballot as an trainer-owner candidate unless, in the 365 days immediately preceding the close of nominations for the election: 1) at least fifty percent (50%) of his or her starts were made at a Maryland track licensed to conduct thoroughbred racing or 2) he or she has accumulated a minimum total of thirty (30) starts at a Maryland track licensed to conduct thoroughbred racing.

VOTING CLASSIFICATIONS

The Board considered a proposal to segregate voting classes by limiting voting eligibility such that only members holding Owner licenses could vote for owner candidates, and only members holding Trainer or Owner/Trainer licenses could vote for trainer candidates.

Following discussion, the Board voted unanimously not to move forward with the proposed change.

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