Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility and New Training Facility

project Summary

In 2024, the Maryland legislature passed HB 1524 Racing Facility Ownership and Construction - Racing Operations which authorizes the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) to issue $400 million in bonds to finance, demolish, design, and reconstruct the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and to design and build a new training center on behalf of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Authority (MTROA).

The MTROA was tasked with creating and implementing a sustainable thoroughbred racing strategy for the state. During the 2025 legislative session, the MTROA was dissolved by the legislature. On July 1, 2025, MTROA’s roles and responsibilities transitioned to the MSA and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO). MSA now owns Pimlico on behalf of the state of Maryland. MEDCO oversees the Maryland Jockey Club, the newly formed non-profit (bearing a historic name), to operate Pimlico and the future training facility.

Design of Pimlico and the training center is led by Ayers Saint Gross/Populous and Clark Construction Group, LLC is tasked with the construction.

Previously, MSA managed the Pimlico Race Course studies that examined the present conditions of Pimlico, and envisioned an ideal venue for the Preakness Stakes with year-round non-racing use of the facility for the benefit of the community.

There is one budget for both projects that assumes $400 million in bonds and approximately $140 million in cash from the Racing and Community Development Financing Fund.

PIMLICO RACE COURSE
MSA—in partnership with MEDCO and the Maryland Jockey Club, with the Park Heights community—is overseeing the design and construction of the new Pimlico racing facility.

With the final approval by the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW) of the demolition package, MSA revealed the design concepts for the Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility. Also, as part of the project, MSA will develop an exhibition about the history and significance of the Pimlico Race Course. The exhibition will use artifacts, oral histories, photographs, salvaged materials, and other appropriate graphics for display in the newly constructed Clubhouse and the publicly accessible spaces on the property and its perimeter. Themes highlighted will include, at a minimum, the history of Thoroughbred Racing in Maryland, Pimlico’s role in the history of Thoroughbred Racing, African American jockeys’ roles in Thoroughbred Racing, and the history and significance of Preakness.

Demolition at Pimlico began after the running of the 150th Preakness Stakes. All racing and training is now taking place at Laurel Park. Preakness 151 will take place at Laurel Park. Preakness 152 is expected to return to Pimlico in 2027. Racing will then return to Laurel Park to allow for the construction of the permanent clubhouse at Pimlico which is projected to be open in time to host Preakness 153 in 2028.

As part of the construction procurement process, Clark Construction hosts outreach events for interested trades to learn about the project scope and schedule and the prequalification process. Subcontractor opportunities are and will be available through multiple contracts. In addition to a local hiring initiative, the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) goals are set at 35%.

MSA encourages residents and businesses near the Pimlico project to sign-up (click here for link) for the monthly community newsletter for progress photos, information on upcoming construction activities, outages and major impacts, project milestones, plus bid and employment opportunities.

At the conclusion of this multi-year transformation, the Pimlico Race Course will become a year-round racing facility bringing in economic benefits to the surrounding communities and further elevating Maryland, home of the Preakness Stakes, as a premiere sports tourism destination.

TRAINING CENTER
In early 2025, the MTROA selected Shamrock Farm in Carroll County as the site for the new training facility. MSA gained right of entry to the site in March 2025. At this time, MSA commenced due diligence and cost estimating for the proposed development.

After many months of due diligence, it has been determined that development of a training center at Shamrock is not a viable option due to environmental and cost constraints.

Following the January 20, 2026, MSA Board of Directors vote and subsequent negotiations with the MEDCO, MSA and 1/ST Laurel LLC have agreed on a $48.5 million acquisition cost for Laurel Park to serve as the training center. On April 20, 2026 the MSA Board of Directors approved the Purchase and Sale Agreement. This recommendation was submitted to the Legislative Policy Committee for the statutory 45-day review period. MSA intends to present the transaction for final approval before BPW this summer.

Press Releases and Statements:
Maryland Stadium Authority Statement - Transfer of the Intellectual Property for the Preakness Stakes to Churchill Downs (link)

April 20, 2026 - Governor Moore Announces State Acquisition of Laurel Park, Securing Future of Maryland’s Thoroughbred Racing Industry and Saving More than $50 Million (link)

January 21, 2026 - Maryland Stadium Authority Announces Intent to Acquire Laurel Park, Redevelop as Statewide Thoroughbred Training Facility (link)

August 21, 2025 - Governor Moore Marks Critical Milestone for Pimlico’s Revitalization during Demolition Ceremony (link)

July 23, 2025 - Maryland Stadium Authority Announces Demolition of the Pimlico Facility On Track (link)
Structural demolition of barns and outbuildings scheduled to begin on Thursday, July 24, 2025 (link)

May 7, 2025 - Board of Public Works Approves Investments to Promote the Future of Thoroughbred Racing in Maryland (link)

Presentation:
July 15, 2025 - Pimlico Community Public Meeting Presentation (link)

Pimlico Open Interview Questionnaire - Online Memory Survey
The Maryland Stadium Authority invites you to help preserve the legacy of the Pimlico Race Course and the Preakness Stakes by sharing your stories online. Whether it’s a favorite race-day tradition or a cherished family memory, we want to hear from you! Please contribute by filling out our Online Memory Survey, where you can also share digital copies of historical memorabilia like photographs or brochures. Your voice is vital to building future exhibits that honor Maryland’s racing history! Click here for questionnaire.

La Maryland Stadium Authority le invita a preservar el legado de PimlicoRace Course y el Preakness Stakes compartiendo sus historias en línea. ¡Sea una tradición o un recuerdo familiar, queremos saber de usted! Participe en nuestra Encuesta de Memorias en Línea, donde también podrá compartir copias digitales de objetos históricos como fotografías o folletos. ¡Su voz es vital para crear futuras exhibiciones que honren la historia hípica de Maryland! Clic aquí para el cuestionario.

Contracting Opportunities:
Please monitor the Contracting Opportunities in the Doing Business homepage tab of the Maryland Stadium Authority website.

Request for Expressions of Interest – Pimlico Out Parcels
The Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) is issuing this Request for Expressions of Interest (REI), in collaboration with the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) and The Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) to provide an opportunity for businesses, developers and other interested parties to propose potential development of six parcels of vacant land located adjacent to the northwest boundary of Pimlico Racetrack. Click here for more information about the Request for Expressions of Interest for the Pimlico Out Parcels.

Question, comment or feedback about the Maryland Stadium Authority's Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility and New Training Facility Project?

Please complete this online form (link) and a member of our project team will respond promptly:

Project Executive:
Gary McGuigan, Executive Vice President, Capital Projects Development Group

Project Director:
Al Tyler, Vice President, Capital Projects Development Group

Architect/Design:
Ayers Saint Gross + Populous

Construction Management Services:
Clark Construction Group, LLC

Anticipated Bond Proceeds:
$400 million

Historical Legislative Actions and Efforts (link) Regarding the Redevelopment of the Pimlico Racing Facility and New Training Facility

A scenic view of Pimlico Race Course, showcasing horse racing on the track. Spectators are seated at outdoor tables on a balcony, enjoying the event. The image captures the lively atmosphere with a large crowd in the stands and the expansive racecourse under a partly cloudy sky. Rendering by Ayers Saint Gross + Populous.

Projects/Studies

Projects/Studies Current Completed