In Baltimore, Doug Donovan in a front-page piece noted the Maryland Jockey Club is "asking racing regulators" to approve $4.4M in "state subsidies entirely for renovations that the company made to its Laurel Park racetrack, even though crumbling conditions at Pimlico Race Course forced the closure of nearly 7,000 unstable seats for the Preakness Stakes." This request "adds to a fierce debate that's raged all year" between MJC execs and Baltimore officials. Lawmakers have "accused the company of neglecting Pimlico to advance its plans to consolidate racing in Laurel" (BALTIMORE SUN, 6/19).
RIGHT ON TRACK: Univ. of Oregon spokesperson Molly Blanchett said that the construction of Hayward Field is "on schedule and would finish in time for the Pac-12 track and field championships in mid-May" next year. The $195M project project is "being privately funded, largely" by Nike co-Founder & Chair Emeritus Phil Knight. TrackTown USA CEO Michael Reilly, whose company will organize the '20 Olympic Trials set to be held at Hayward Field, said that the new stadium will "offer more room so athletes and spectators can get around easier compared to the former venue." He added that it will "improve the fans' experience with wider seats, two video screens and closer proximity to the competitors" (REGISTERGUARD.com, 6/17).
ROCKING & ROLLING: The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain "announced a title sponsorship deal" with the Triple A PCL Sacramento River Cats, after announcing a "similar partnership" with USL club Sacramento Republic FC last week. Hard Rock Sacramento President Mark Birtha said that the partnership will "include the casino's advertising presence" at Raley Field and during games, and kiosks at the ballpark that will "allow people to connect with the hotel" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/18).
