Design for Maryland's new Pimlico Race Course unveiled as demolition is approved for after 150th Preakness Stakes
Baltimore's Historic Pimlico Race Course will be demolished after the 150th Preakness Stakes in May as state leaders move forward with a restoration project. Renderings of the new facility were unveiled Wednesday.
The Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), the agency overseeing the makeover, did not give a specific date for when the demolition will begin but said they will start "soon after Preakness 150."
The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on May 17 will be the final race at Pimlico before its massive transformation.
"Today we take another step toward a new, reimagined Pimlico," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday. "Together, we will continue to drive economic growth in Park Heights, throughout Baltimore, and across the entire state."
New Pimlico design concept unveiled
The Maryland Stadium Authority shared the concept design for the new Pimlico Race Course during a Board of Public Works meeting Wednesday.
According to MSA, the design will create a "strong and consistent identity." The new clubhouse will be inspired by Baltimore landmarks, like the Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park and the original Pimlico clubhouse.
Pimlico reconstruction brings hope of increased economic activity
Maryland leaders hope the reconstruction project will stimulate economic activity in Baltimore, especially in the Park Heights community.
The new, $400 million state-funded horse racing facility is expected to support about 500 jobs and become a year-round hub of economic activity, MSA leaders said.
The renovation will make Pimlico the permanent home of Maryland thoroughbred racing and will allow the facility to host more than 100 racing days each year. It currently hosts about 15 yearly.
Aside from making Pimlico a world-class race track, there will be a hotel, event space, and other amenities.
"This work is bigger than a racetrack, as historic and important as it is," said MSA Chair Craig Thompson. "This is about bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in state investment to Park Heights."
Carroll County farm to be used as training hub
During Wednesday's meeting, state leaders also announced the acquisition of Shamrock Farm in Carroll County. The land will be used as a training center for thoroughbred racing in Maryland.
According to state leaders, the acquisition of the farm is one of the largest investments in Carroll County in recent history.
The move came after a two-year investigation into more than eight sites in six Maryland counties, officials said.
The state will invest at least $110 million into the new training center, which will have 328 pastoral acres and house more than 800 horses.
The Carroll County government agreed to commit $1.5 million to offset infrastructure costs.
The new training hub will also include housing for backstretch workers and a training track with similar dimensions to the one at Pimlico.
"Shamrock's 328 acres combined with Carroll's rich equestrian tradition brings well-deserved notoriety to this beautiful farm and the area," said Carroll County Board of Commissioners President Kenneth Kiler.
Where will the Preakness Stakes be held in 2026?
After this year's Preakness 150, the second leg of the Triple Crown will be held in Laurel, Maryland, as reconstruction will be ongoing in 2026.
Racing is expected to return full-time to Pimlico in 2027.
"MSA is working diligently to deliver a successful 2027 return of Preakness at Pimlico," Thompson said.
