The Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championships (MATCH) Series, which was forced to go on hiatus in 2020 because of regional COVID-19 restrictions, will return this year under a two-state schedule put together by horsemen and racetracks in Maryland and Virginia to bridge the gap until the full Series is restored in 2022.
The Series, the only one of its kind in racing, will run from May 14 at Pimlico Race Course through Dec. 26 at Laurel Park, and will feature 24 stakes–20 of them in Maryland and four at Colonial Downs in Virginia–valued at $2,750,000 million. There will be four divisions, all of them on dirt, and $282,000 in bonus money.
“This is a tremendous demonstration of support and cooperation by the Maryland and Virginia horsemen and racetracks, and I am deeply appreciative of their desire to maintain the MATCH brand through these difficult times for racing'” said MATCH creator Alan M. Foreman. “This should be a really fun and competitive Series.”
“Maryland's horsemen have always believed in the vision of MATCH and been enthusiastic supporters of the Series from day one,” commented MTHA Executive Director David Richardson. “We are thrilled to join with our friends in Virginia to renew this innovative concept for 2021 with the goal of a full rebirth in 2022.”
Click here for the 2021 schedule.
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