Maryland's "thoroughbred horse racing tracks and the state's horsemen are close to agreement on a 10-year deal" for racing dates that would "give the industry stability it has not seen in decades,” according to sources cited by Chris Korman of the Baltimore SUN. While the deal with the Maryland Jockey Club “still needs to gain approval by the boards" of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, it "could be announced by the end of the week.” Members of the Maryland Racing Commission “had given the sides a Nov. 30 deadline.” A long-term deal “finally could put horse racing on the path its advocates predicted 10 years ago when the state began moving to legalize gambling.” But those early hopes were “based on the assumption that slot machines would end up at the tracks.” Neither Pimlico nor Laurel “managed to secure a license” and the Jockey Club has “seen only a minor benefit from gambling.” The Stronach Group -- the parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club, which also owns the Bowie training center -- has “offered to guarantee 146 days of racing next year and 100 days in each subsequent year.” MTHA General Counsel Alan Foreman said that the horsemen would “have the option to buy more days and could be in better position to do so” because purses will “continue to grow with the opening of casinos in Baltimore and Prince George's County.” Foreman also said that the “guarantee of race dates will persuade more trainers to operate in Maryland” (Baltimore SUN, 11/27).
