Future Of Md. Horse Racing Still Uncertain
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The future of Maryland's horse racing industry is still up in the air. Pat Warren has details of an important hearing there.
The Maryland State Racing Commission is meeting with the Maryland Jockey Club and the partners in the ownership of Laurel and Pimlico and the news is not good.
Maryland horse racing has become a game of chicken and Bobby Lewis represents the working folk who have everything on the line.
Fear escalated Monday when the Maryland Jockey Club and track owners delivered what horsemen consider a death blow: a proposal to cut live racing at Laurel from 130 to 17 days and limit Pimlico to just 30 days around Preakness.
"I'm on a sinking ship called the Titanic. I'm a crew member and the ship is going down and I'm going down with the ship," said one jockey.
The plan outraged some members of the State Racing Commission.
"You guys just flat out don't give a damn," said one member.
The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association likened the reduction to a horse with a broken leg.
"These two short meets are tantamount to us of no racing at either. What's the difference if we're dead, shot by 100 bullets or one in the head? We're still dead. It makes no difference," said one.
The Horse Breeders' Association joins the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association in calling on the Maryland Racing Commission to reject Laurel and Pimlico's plan.
