Proposed Pimlico Barn Area Discussed

The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority at its February Board of Directors meeting discussed some details about the site plan being developed for the new Pimlico Race Course.

Populous Consulting, which is handling aspects of the development, said Pimlico would have 410 “resident” stalls and 80 receiving stalls. More than half of them (260 stalls) will be located along the backstretch of the one-mile dirt surface where the current brick barns are located. There will be stalls adjacent Rogers and Winner avenues as well as a 36-stall “Preakness compound” where the current stakes barns are located.

There is no site plan yet for the clubhouse/grandstand facility and no decision on how various parcels located along Northern Parkway will be used.

Demolition is set to begin 30 days after the Preakness Stakes is run. The Maryland Jockey Club said horses will be stabled at Pimlico from about a month before the six-day meet through May 31.

In response to questions, MTROA Chairman Greg Cross said the Maryland Stadium Authority did not recommend preserving barns, including the current stakes barns and Preakness barn. He said historical elements would be “repurposed and saved.”

Cross also said the barns being constructed at Pimlico would be “hybrid,” with fabric-like roofs. The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association has been involved in discussions on the barns and other facilities in the proposed barn area.

The MTROA earlier announced that the footprint of the existing dirt and turf courses at Pimlico will not be altered. Original plans called for the surfaces to be rotated, but after review it was decided to leave the current footprint, which will save about $30 million.

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