Renovation of a recreation facility in Baltimore, Maryland. Completed plans call for the renovation of a recreation facility.

https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2026/01/21/maryland-pimlico-designs-laurel-park-training-site.html Here’s the latest on Maryland’s plans to redesign Pimlico and use Laurel Park as a horse-training site — based on reporting tied to the Baltimore Business Journal story you shared and related official announcements: Maryland Reworking Pimlico Plans, Pivoting Training Site to Laurel Park The Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) has reached a tentative agreement to acquire Laurel Park racetrack from The Stronach Group with the intention of redeveloping it as the state’s primary thoroughbred training facility. This represents a major shift in the state’s horse racing infrastructure plans. Under this new plan, all day-to-day training and stabling will move to Laurel Park, where roughly 1,100 horse stalls already exist — rather than building a new training facility at a different site like Shamrock Farm, which had been considered earlier but was deemed environmentally and financially challenging. By consolidating training at Laurel Park instead of constructing a new facility, the state aims to save about $50 million in project costs and streamline operations. How This Fits With Pimlico’s Redevelopment Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore — long the home of the Preakness Stakes — is currently being redeveloped under a roughly $400 million plan to rebuild the track and modernize facilities. During the construction phase, Laurel Park will host the 151st Preakness Stakes in 2026, and then train horses while Pimlico is rebuilt. Once the Pimlico redevelopment is complete (expected by spring 2027), Pimlico will resume hosting racing, while Laurel Park’s role will shift to full-time training operations under state ownership. Why This Matters The move preserves Laurel Park’s historic role in Maryland horse racing and creates a centralized training hub for thoroughbred operations across the state. It also helps control costs and preserve jobs tied to training and racing. This realignment is part of a wider effort to modernize Maryland’s horse racing industry, ensuring both historic tracks can continue to operate efficiently and keeping thoroughbred racing viable long-term. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Clark Construction Group, in partnership with McKissack & McKissack and THG Companies, is assembling a team of project partners for the Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility Additional project details will be provided to invited and pre-qualified trade contractors through BuildingConnected. For inquiries, email pimlicobids@clarkconstruction.com. MBE Participation: This project has a 35% MBE participation goal, with subgoals of 8% African-American and 11% Woman-Owned Businesses. Only MDOT-certified MBEs will count toward the goal.