Greg Cross

The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) has approved the state's Thoroughbred racing calendar for 2025, which includes six days during the week of the 150th running of GI Preakness Stakes before the site is redeveloped, the authority said via a press release on Friday. The first under new leadership and a refitted organizational structure, the MTROA's calendar includes 114 racing days at Laurel Park. Preakness week will constitute the final running at Pimlico prior to a forward-looking rebuild and redevelopment of the Park Heights property, which is intended to...

Bill Knauf, who has served Monmouth Park in a variety of roles--most recently its vice president of business development--for over a quarter-century, will take up the position of president and general manager of The Maryland Jockey Club Inc., a new 501(c) (4) organization to manage and operate Thoroughbred horse racing in the state. "We have found the perfect person to lead Maryland's groundbreaking efforts to reimagine and renew the racing experience," said Greg Cross, chairman of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). "Bill not only has operating experience, but...

The Stronach Group has entered into a 'binding commitment' to donate Pimlico Race Course to the state of Maryland, a move that will allow the state to take over operations at the track, the Baltimore Banner reported Thursday afternoon. According to the report, the transfer could occur as early as this summer, per state officials, with the state taking over racing operations in 2025. The report says that the transfer will enable the state of Maryland to earmark hundreds of millions of dollars towards modernizing the track as well as...