MD's horse racing execs announced a $60M plan "to
renovate" racetracks at Pimlico and Laurel and expand off-
track betting opportunities "in an effort to revive the
state's stagnant racing industry during the next five
years," according to Robert Pierre of the WASHINGTON POST.
The campaign is designed to help MD racetracks "compete with
an increasingly crowded field of betting and sports
activities." Under the proposal, grandstands at Pimlico and
Laurel would get "upgrades, new food courts and nicer
landscaping," while new parking areas would be built and
marketing efforts "would be doubled." The plan also calls
for the hiring of a new senior exec to "oversee marketing,
promotions and customer service." Although the plan "must
be approved by state leaders," MD Gov. Parris Glendening's
"initial reaction was positive." Just over half of the $60M
plan would be paid for by the MD Jockey Club, while the rest
would be financed by the state and racing industry revenue.
MD Jockey Club President Joe DeFrancis also announced a new
agreement that calls for thoroughbred and harness racetrack
owners to "share all racing profits" (WASHINGTON POST,
6/15). In Baltimore, Jon Morgan writes that DeFrancis
"envisions a blend of jockey club money and low-interest
state loans and bonds" to finance the project. DeFrancis:
"I want to be real clear. We're not seeking to have the
taxpayers pay for one penny of this" (Baltimore SUN, 6/15).
In DC, Andrew Beyer notes that part of the plan calls for
the hiring of a senior exec: "Does anybody believe, after a
decade of dismal customer service in the Joe DeFrancis
regime, that one more vice president is going to change the
corporate culture" (WASHINGTON POST, 6/15).
