Pimlico Race Course, which hosts the Preakness Stakes, one of the three races in horse racing’s Triple Crown, might be changing its mind about getting rid of off-track betting (OTB).
Last week, the political website Maryland Matters reported that the owners of the iconic track in Baltimore, Maryland, were looking at ceasing OTB operations.
However, a few days later, 1/ST Racing and Gaming CEO Aidan Butler sent an email to employees updating them on the move. Butler wrote that the ownership was “reassessing” the decision.
“As we continue our assessment of the Pimlico OTB operations, we are committed to working closely with your union, elected officials, and governmental agencies,” Butler wrote.
Acting Maryland Jockey Club President Mike Rogers, however, didn’t seem so optimistic. He said “financial challenges” were the main reason the owners were considering shuttering non-live race days. He sent out an email to employees.
“The Pimlico OTB has been a valuable part of our organization for many years, providing a convenient location for our customers to enjoy thoroughbred racing,” Rogers wrote. “Understandably, this news may come as a disappointment to many of you.”
In 2021, there were 199 days when racing wasn’t being held at Pimlico. Bettors still managed to plunk down approximately $11.3 million.
The numbers were a bit skewed because of Covid-19 restrictions. Still, Pimlico has been lagging behind Laurel Park and other sites that host OTB. An OTB site at the Maryland State Fairgrounds tallied $15 million in wagers, while two of the state’s casinos – MGM National Harbor and Horseshoe Baltimore, saw $10.3 million.
It doesn’t appear what Pimlico is going to do, but complicating matters is the operating agreement between the Maryland Jockey Club and horsemen expires at the end of June. Nothing is booked for July and beyond.
“The opportunity, I believe, is to concentrate on Pimlico as the racetrack and maybe use Laurel for training or use another location for training,” Butler told the Baltimore Banner. “But, if the idea is to build two new racetracks, that doesn’t make a lot of logical sense. Personally, if I were to rebuild one, I’d rather rebuild Pimlico.”
