Minutes of Public Meeting - October 28, 2024

In accordance with §3-302, General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission (“Commission”) met in person and by conference call in open session at 12:30 p.m. at Laurel Park on October 28, 2024. At the start of the meeting, Chairman George Mahoney took a roll call of the Commission members and noted Commissioners Konrad Wayson and Shawn Wright were absent. Prior to the start of the meeting, Chairman Mahoney asked for a moment of silence for the Chief Financial Officer Doug Illig who had a death in his family.

Minutes - Open and Executive - October 1, 2024

The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its meeting on October 1, 2024, and voted to approve them unanimously.

Safety and Welfare – Veterinarian Record reporting – Veterinarian Staff.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins commented that at the last Mortality Review Committee meeting it was reported that the practicing veterinarians were not providing detailed records of treatments to the Commission’s Equine Medical Director. Mr. Hopkins further stated that the need for punitive sanctions against veterinarians may be necessary for compliance, if they do not provide adequate records. The Commission supported the concept of providing adequate records. Mr. Hopkins also stated that with the transition on January 1st of racetrack operations to the Authority, there would be one less track veterinarian to observe horse during training hours and that the Commission should encourage the new operator to seek out an additional veterinarian.

Maryland Standardbred Race Fund 2025 Race Dates

Cheri Stambaugh, Administrator of the Fund, presented the 2025 Race Fund dates for Ocean Downs and Rosecroft to the Commission for approval. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the request.

2025 Racing Dates.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins presented the Commission members with requests for 2025 racing dates:

1. Maryland Jockey Club was requesting racing dates from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, consisting of 114 live days at Laurel Park, and 6 live days at Pimlico. Racing would be generally conducted 3 days per week with no live racing between June 30th and August 21st;
2. Maryland State Fair was requesting its 10 days of racing consisting of 7 live racing days consistent with previous years;
3. Ocean Downs was requesting racing dates from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, consisting of 48 days of live racing during the summer months as held in previous years;
4. Rosecroft Raceway was requesting racing dates from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, consisting of 60 days of live racing to be held during the spring and fall consistent with previous years; and
5. The Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc. was requesting racing dates on May 24, 2025 and August 30, 2025 to be run at Fair Hill. Mr. Hopkins explained that the Commission had received a letter from the Fair Hill Foundation fully supporting the racing date request from the Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc.

Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved each request.

Maryland Jockey Club - Update

Tim Luzius on behalf of the Maryland Jockey Club reported that Maryland Million attendance was up 10% and on track handled was up by 15%. Mr. Luzius thanked his staff and the Maryland Breeders for a good day of racing. Mr. Luzius also reported that the transition to the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority was moving forward smoothly and that track modifications were occurring to winterize the track surface was proceeding.

Public Comments.

April Smith representing Friends of Pimlico read a prepared statement regarding the proposed plans for Pimlico and concluded they were not in the best interest of racing. Andy Cashman, from the State Fair, reported that the December mixed sale at Timonium was cancelled due to a lack of entries. Cricket Goodall, from the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, thanked Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins for his 40 years of service to the racing industry.

Closed Session.

The Commission went into Closed Session at roughly 1:00 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter. Assistant Attorney General Eric London recused himself from the discussion.

Next Commission Meeting - TBD (Laurel Park, Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12:30 P.M. if needed)

/s/ George P. Mahoney, Jr.      

Chairman