Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Nearly 100 horsemen and backstretch workers facing eviction from Pimlico Race Course at the end of the month crowded a hearing room at the state fairgrounds yesterday and implored the Maryland Racing Commission to force the historic Baltimore track to remain open for training and stabling this fall.

In a series of emotional and at times angry speeches at the monthly meeting of the commission, trainers who live north of Baltimore described how they face increased costs and will have to drive 150 miles a day once their horses are shifted to Laurel Park or the Bowie Training Center; employees who live at Pimlico spoke of prospective hardship of doubling up in 12-by-12-foot rooms when relocated to housing at the remaining operating stable areas.

Suffering steep recent declines in revenue while fighting a losing battle with tracks in neighboring states that have slot machines, the Maryland Jockey Club announced Aug. 6 that Pimlico would be shut at the end of the month until two weeks before the start of the track's spring meet in April. The closure, said MJC President Tom Chuckas, will save $180,000.

Approximately 170 backstretch workers and 430 horses are being relocated at the Maryland Jockey Club's expense.

"Pimlico is a historic part of racing," backstretch worker Michael Grady said. "You don't shut down history, you improve on it. I understand the financial aspect of [the track owners], but there has to be another way."

After lengthy deliberation, the commission voted 4 to 3 against a motion by recent appointee Mary Louise Preis that would have forced Pimlico to stay open until Sept. 16, the date of the next commission meeting.

Preis, a lawyer who served two terms in the state House of Delegates, urged Chuckas to work with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association to keep Pimlico open. She was supported by commission member David Clogg, who suggested horsemen at Laurel, Pimlico and Bowie pay a fee to help defray the costs.

The MTHA supported Chuckas in closing Pimlico rather than further cutting into the live racing schedule or reducing purse money offered.

"Don't you think if we have the money, we'd work to keep Pimlico open?" said Alan Foreman, general counsel for the horsemen's group. "We don't have a solution. I'm sorry to all of you, but we can't pull a rabbit out of a hat."

Foreman said trainers based at Laurel and Bowie would balk at paying a fee to keep Pimlico open. Afterward, several Pimlico horsemen said they were not served by their leadership.

-- John Scheinman