| Laurel Park Racecourse |
Article Index for Laurel Park |
Shopping Racecourse |
Website Links For Laurel Park |
Information AboutLaurel Park Racecourse |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT LAUREL PARK RACECOURSE | |
| horse racing venues in the united states | |
| sports venues in maryland | |
|
HISTORY Laurel Park Racecourse opened October 2, 1911 under the direction of the Laurel Four County Fair. In 1914 James Butler purchased the track and appointed Matt Winn as its promoter and manager. In 1947 , the Maryland Jockey Club, which owned Timonium and Pimlico , purchased Laurel Park. After the Maryland General Assembly rejected the idea of replacing Pimlico with Laurel Park, the track was sold to Morris Schapiro who had his son, John D. Schapiro , manage it. From 1947 to 1984 , Laurel Park underwent a period of great change. The track was renamed Laurel Race Course and the Washington, D.C. International was introduced at 1½ miles on the Turf . Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the track was renovated extensively. In addition, it was awarded summer racing dates. In 1984, the track was sold to Frank J. DeFrancis and several business partners. Laurel Park Racecourse was updated again with introduction of a 'Sports Palace' facility, renovation of the clubhouse, and exterior improvements. In August 1989 , Frank DeFrancis died and his son, Joe DeFrancis, began managing the track. In 1994 the track's name returned to "Laurel Park". Yet more improvements included those to the main entrance, Grandstand interior and backstretch barns. {Link without Title} In with a nearly seven-month closure of Laurel Park's backstretch and racing surfaces for widening, extension and restoration of the dirt surface. RACING The following graded stakes were run at Laurel Park in 2005:
The track also runs numerous ungraded stakes and overnight handicaps, for example the Private Terms Stakes . EXTERNAL LINKS |
|
|