And in the “huh?” department, we learn that Laurel Park has decided to end its grass racing season for the year (here). Grass races have drawn significantly larger fields than dirt races, which is good for everyone involved, but no matter. Heavy rains are the official reason that the East Coast’s newest, most technologically advanced …
Category Archive: Frank Stronach
Feb 23 2009
A modest proposal
In the “you can’t make this up” department, we have this: at the exact moment when Maryland racing’s future seems the brightest it’s been in years — because of the impending arrival of slots — it’s also distinctly possible that Maryland racing has no future at all. As has been amply documented seemingly just about …
Feb 13 2009
Striking out on one pitch
It took Maryland racing more than a decade of work to convince the state to allow slot machines. It took Magna Entertainment, parent company of state track owners the Maryland Jockey Club, several million dollars to support the pro-slots campaign. And it took Magna just a week to get itself disqualified from the bidding for …
Oct 28 2008
Plenty of punch
Horses of which I’ve owned a piece have made a total of one start in Grade I company — and that one start was a shot in the dark. Spectacular Malibu, a filly owned and managed by our pals at Country Life Farm, went off as, and ran like, the longest shot on the board …
May 13 2008
Dragone out in Maryland?
The Baltimore Sun is reporting here that Magna Entertainment, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), which owns Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, may relieve MJC president and general manager Chris Dragone of his duties. If so, it would be the second time in less than eight months that the MJC had changed …
Mar 04 2008
Surely, you jest…
The Baltimore Sun reports the following: “Tracks balking at slots campaign.” Short version (because I’m too tired of writing about this to write the long one): Magna is not inclined to spend the $84.37 it still has in its coffers on the campaign to legalize slot machines in Maryland because the proposal does not guarantee …
Feb 13 2008
Why why why…
Off a recent trip to Gulfstream, I’ve been noodling a few different thoughts these last few days, though not all are Gulfstream-related. So, without further ado… Why why why… * Did Frank Stronach only include 900 decent seats at Gulfstream? I mean, I understand what he’s trying to do — namely, create a high-end venue …
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