Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

Maryland Purse Structure to Remain Unchanged

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen Association, after conferring with the Maryland Jockey Club, announced operations will resume at a similar purse structure for overnight races through the rest of the summer, while staging live racing two days a week. Moving forward, as revenues increase, plans call for the addition of days to the calendar. With Casinos scheduled to re-open June 19, the MJC is expected to begin relaxing restrictions of owner’s access to the backstretch as well as allowing all licensed personal access to the backstretch beginning June 20.

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Maryland Jockey Club Announces Intent Write No-Lasix 2-Year-Old Races

The Maryland Jockey Club sent a letter to the Maryland Racing Commission this week indicating the intent to begin writing 2-year-old races which prohibit the administration of Lasix withing 24 hours of the race, according to the Thoroughbred Daily News.

“The time has come to phase out Lasix beginning with 2-year-old horses,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairman and President, The Stronach Group and 1/ST. “We are following through on 1/ST Racing's commitment to put horse and rider safety and welfare at the forefront. We believe in the principle that horses should only be racing free of medication. By taking this important step together, the Maryland racing community will become stronger and provide the right foundation for our sport to progress into the future.”

The Maryland Commission told the Daily Racing Form it would have no comment on the letter until it determined the legality of the decision.

“The fundamental question is whether they have the authority to do this under current Maryland law,” Alan Foreman, the general counsel to the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, told drf.com.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News and the Daily Racing Form.

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Keefe: Maryland Racing Able To Maintain Purse Structure, Relax Some Backstretch Restrictions

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Tim Keefe sent out the following letter to Maryland horsemen on Thursday:

Dear Horsemen,

As we get back into the swing of things with the return of live racing in Maryland after a two-and-a-half-month absence, the MTHA would like to sincerely thank the entire racing community for its patience and commitment under extremely difficult economic circumstances.

Please be confident, MTHA is working to ensure that Maryland-based owners and trainers have as many racing opportunities as possible while being mindful of the need to stretch purse funds as far as possible while revenue sources such as casino gaming, off-track betting and on-track betting are gradually restored.

After crunching our numbers with Maryland Jockey Club, we are pleased to be able to resume operations with the same purse structure for all overnight races throughout the rest of the summer while continuing running two days a week. Please know, the rumors of us being forced to cease racing the end of June are completely unfounded.

Moving forward, as revenues increase, we plan to add as many days to the calendar as feasible.

Additionally, Governor Hogan brought us some fantastic news by relaxing some restrictions in place and permitting Casinos to open June 19. Starting Saturday, MJC will be relaxing restrictions of owner's access to the backstretch as well as allowing all licensed personal access to the Backstretch. This is part of a gradual transition to more normal operations which we hope will lead to the opening of our facilities to the general public soon.

Maryland horsemen's resolve and fortitude has been remarkable, and we appreciate enormously your patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.

Again, thank you for staying the course, and success to all going forward. See you at the races.

Best of racing luck and be safe,

Timothy L. Keefe
President, MTHA

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