Minutes of Public Meeting - October 1, 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 1, 2024. At the start of the meeting, Chairman George Mahoney took a roll call of the Commission members and confirmed that all were present.

Minutes - Open and Executive - September 9, 2024

The Commission waived a reading of the Open minutes of its meeting on September 9, 2024, and voted to approve them unanimously. Commissioner Konrad Wayson abstained from the vote, as he was not present for the September meeting. The Commission also waived a reading of its Executive Session minutes on September 9, 2024, and voted to unanimously approve them. Commissioner Konrad Wayson abstained from the vote, as he was not present at the meeting.

Maryland Jockey Club - Satellite Simulcast Betting Permits.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins informed the Commission that he had received a request from the Maryland Jockey Club to renew its Satellite Simulcast Betting Facility permits for each of the 9 currently operating facilities for calendar year 2025. Mr. Hopkins explained that he had just received the requests, but found nothing materially different than previous requests. Hearing no objection, the Commission unanimously approved the permits as submitted.

Maryland Jockey Club - Update.

Mike Rogers, representing the Maryland Jockey Club, introduced Bill Knauff, the new President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, as well as Corey Johnson, who has been assisting the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (“Authority”) to the Commission. Mr. Rogers commented that the transition from the Stronach Group to the Authority continues to go well. He noted that preparations for Maryland Million Day were going well for October 12, 2024 and that he anticipated an excellent day of racing. Lastly, Mr. Rogers reported that the new cushion for the track at Laurel had arrived and would be applied starting on October 7, 2024. Commissioner Shawn Wright asked Mike Rogers how the transfer of the Maryland Jockey Club name to the Authority would be completed. Mike Rogers responded that the transfer of the name had already been accomplished.

Cecil County Breeders Fair – Delegate Kevin Hornberger.

Executive Director J. Michael Hopkins reported to the Commission that he had received a request from the Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc. for a race day on May 24, 2025. However, Mr. Hopkins continued that the letter was signed by William Coutz, as Acting President of the Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc., who is not on the Board of the Fair Hill Foundation. Mr. Hopkins also commented that for the previous 5 years the Fair Hill Foundation has been requesting race days at Fair Hill on behalf of the Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc. Noting this change in making the request, Chairman Mahoney asked Delegate Kevin Hornberger to explain. Delegate Hornberger explained that he was not appearing before the Commission as a Delegate, but as a private citizen. Mr. Hornberger stated that Ann Ogletree, legal counsel for the Cecil County Breeders Fair, would make a presentation and then Mr. Countz would introduce the request for a race day in 2024. Ms. Ogletree provided documentation to the Commission that indicated the 2020 resolution making the Fair Hill Foundation the sole member of the Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc. was not properly filed and, therefore, had no standing. William Countz then provided the Commission members with a request to run on May 24, 2025 and other days in 2025 after consulting with the Department of Natural Resources. Chairman Mahoney noting the ambiguity, asked the Fair Hill Foundation to address the Commission. Albert Jay Young, Board Member of the Fair Hill Foundation, commented that their organization did everything properly, including filing tax returns for the previous 5 years and had been the organization requesting race days on behalf of the Cecil County Breeders, Inc. Commissioner Konrad Wayson commented that until there was clarity on the issue as to who represented the Cecil County Breeders Fair, Inc., he would not be inclined to award any racing days. Hearing no objection from other Commission members, Chairman Mahoney did not put the request for days to a vote. Assistant Attorney General Eric London suggested to both parties that they meet, discuss and resolve their issues. Mr. London advised that the next meet of the Commission was on October 28, 2024, and if the parties had worked out their differences, the Commission would still have time to award racing days in 2025.

Public Comments.

Cricket Goodall, representing the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, commented that the Maryland Million draw would take place on Sunday, October 8, 2024 at Laurel Park and invited the Commission and public to the Fundraiser on October 11, 2024, which was being held at the Breeders Library as well as Maryland Million Day on October 12, 2024.

Next Commission Meeting.

Monday October 28, 2024 at Laurel Park beginning at 12:30 P.M. .

/s/ George P. Mahoney, Jr.      

Chairman