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Laurel Park Waited 114 Years for the Preakness. It May Be a Farewell as Much as a Debut
Attendance is capped at 4,800 as Maryland moves to consolidate racing at Pimlico and convert Laurel Park into a training facility.
- On Saturday, Laurel Park hosts the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown, marking the first time the track has hosted the event before converting to a training facility.
- Maryland's $400 million redevelopment of Pimlico Race Course prompted the state's plan to consolidate thoroughbred racing there, though a legislative committee delayed the $48.5 million acquisition for a 45-day review earlier this week.
- Attendance at Laurel is capped at 4,800, a steep drop from the more than 46,000 who attended last year at Pimlico. Former mayor Bob DiPietro recalled thousands once visiting, saying "you went there to have a great time."
- Jockey Sheldon Russell and trainer Brittany Russell prepare to run their horse, Taj Mahal, at their home track this weekend. "It's going to be a really special day," Russell said.
- Since 2000, 28 thoroughbred racing tracks have closed across the country, according to data compiled by the Keeneland Library. Laurel, founded in 1911, faces a similar fate as attendance dwindles and gambling moves online.
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25 Articles
25 Articles
Daily Journal+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Photos of Laurel Park as storied track reaches final chapter
Laurel Park, set to become a training facility, spruced things up for a chance to relive its glory days by hosting its first and probably only Preakness Stakes. __ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
·Cherokee County, United States
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Associated Press News+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Laurel Park waited 114 years for the Preakness. It may be a farewell as much as a debut
Maryland’s Laurel Park will host the Preakness Stakes for the first — and likely only — time this weekend as the historic racetrack enters its final chapter.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources25
Leaning Left15Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution71% Left
Bias Distribution
- 71% of the sources lean Left
71% Left
L 71%
C 29%
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