Pimlico Race Course Contracts Approved in Key Move

The Pimlico Race Course in Maryland Board of Public Works has authorized contracts for two substantial projects to help support the state’s historic horse racing industry: the demolition and reconstruction of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and the acquisition of farm land in Carroll County intended for a training facility. The decision comes just before next week’s 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, and could be seen as a final tipping point for the sustenance of the industry.

The board, Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and Treasurer Dereck Davis approved the contracts in open session on Wednesday. Both projects are publicly funded and are part of a larger plan approved last year when ownership of the Pimlico Race Course was officially transferred to the state.

Governor Moore, who chairs the board, said the reconstruction of Pimlico Race Course and the addition of the training site represent a larger effort to support an industry that accounts for around 28,000 jobs and $3 billion in economic activity across Maryland.

“Almost a year ago, this board approved the transfer of ownership of the Pimlico Race Course to the state of Maryland horse racing,” Moore said. “This is part of a broader approach to how thoroughbred racing can operate across the state.”

According to Moore, the goal is for the new Pimlico Race Course to operate year-round and bring economic activity to Park Heights, a section of northwest Baltimore that has long been associated with the race course. He also emphasized the need to keep racing activity within Maryland horse racing, instead of relying on facilities in other states.

Comptroller Lierman said the impact of this investment should not be limited to the track itself. She stressed the importance of building opportunities around these developments, particularly in communities that have lacked consistent economic growth.

The second part of the plan involves a 160-acre property in Carroll County. Once developed, it will serve as a training center for horses and support staff. Racing officials have said the lack of in-state training grounds has created logistical issues for local horse owners and workers. This addition is meant to address that gap.

Treasurer Dereck Davis, while voting in favor of the contracts, asked whether this marks the final round of significant public support for the industry. He questioned the long-term value of repeated investments in a sport that has seen a steady decline in public interest and attendance for several decades.

“This might be the last time we’re in a position to take this kind of step,” Davis said. “We’ve put a lot into it, and the outcomes need to match the effort.”

The Pimlico Race Course will undergo complete demolition and reconstruction after the Preakness Stakes concludes next week. The current facility, which has faced maintenance problems for years, will be replaced with a new structure designed to support racing events and other uses throughout the year. While specific budget figures were not detailed at the board meeting, previous estimates for the total cost of redevelopment have ranged above $400 million.

Advocates of the project argue that without these changes, Maryland horse racing’s role in the national horse racing circuit would continue to shrink. Nearby states have invested heavily in their own racing programs, making competition for owners, trainers, and race dates more difficult.

Governor Moore acknowledged these challenges but said the state’s investment is focused not only on maintaining the industry, but also on keeping jobs and related businesses in Maryland horse racing.

“Horse racing in this state is more than a sport,” he said. “It affects thousands of families and businesses. We’re taking a structured approach that ties in both economic development and community benefit.”

The approval of these contracts sets in motion the next phase of work. The state will oversee both projects, with construction and development timelines expected to be announced soon. The goal is to have the new training facility operational within the next two years, while the new Pimlico Race Course complex is projected to open by 2027.

For now, this year’s Preakness Stakes will mark not just a milestone in horse racing history but also a turning point for the future of the sport in Maryland horse racing.