Well the obviously solution to all this (seems to me) is some sort of scheme to close down BOTH Laurel and Pimlico, to sell both parcels of quite valuable land and then (key point there that use of "then") use those proceeds and possibly other investment funds to build a new racing facility also on a major route between Baltimore and DC.

A compromise would be to do that closing and razing and redeveloping one property at a time while the construction on a (modest) new facility is completed using the proceeds from the first sale to self finance

And then (there's that "then again... take note)... and then use the proceeds from the second major parcel property sale sale to add other niceties to the property.

Just one caveat...OK?
Do NOT let anyone from the Stadium Authority anywhere near the deal. All (and I mean every effin penny) be from private sources.

Deal?

Didn't the gaming commission block Penn National's ability to buy minority interest in the Jockey Club? Why do we still mention Penn National when they were legally blocked from owning any part of Laurel?

Jay couldn't have said it better.
Penn National continues to prove that they are merely SORE LOSERS who can't accept what has already been decided fair and square.
Enough is enough, Penn National, it's time to move on.

See the Brilliant plan at http://www.gazette.net/stories/11192010/poliras193507_32537.php

Private-public collaboration is the only thing that will work for all parties. But, egos may kill it. They have to work together; can they?

Please keep reminding them; thanks.

Every means must be taken to preserve racing in MD. We all know the slots process was nothing more thana money grab, and slots would not exist without racing. Wake up all, and get the politics out of slots, and racing. And it must be preserved by any means we can accomplish.

One day the whole sordid story of the slots fiasco will be made pubiic and the Mandel scandal (which sent the former guv to jail) will look ike a comparative non-event.

For now, trace the O"Malley administration's perverse relationship with Penn National to a failed attempt to get slots at Rosecroft Raceway and go on from there.

Penn National has actually widened the failure of Magna (its partner) to provide quality racing in MD in favour of slots.

The Racing Commission should fail to give this partnership any future license to run racing in the state.

Don't worry about the Preakness; it won't go anywhere. There are several groups ready to step in and run race tracks in MD both profitably and artistically.

All we need to do is get the current bunch out of the picture.

But this administration will fight any such proposals tooth and nail under the table.

It's too much invested in Penn National.

Not "fair" to Cordish? Not FAIR? These are gambling companies we are talking about. Fair doesn't apply. Is it fair for them to use behavioral science to keep people playing and losing? Is it fair to market directly to addicted gamblers? Is it fair to bully legislators and swamp debate with lobbying money?

These guys know that regulatory risk is a massive part of what they do. That's why they spend so much on lobbying. I have no pity for Cordish, and certainly no concern about what they might want to pretend is "fair."

I am curious why "Mike in Maryland" says that "Every means must be taken to preserve racing in MD."

Why? Because you like it? Nostalgia? Or is there another (better) reason?

It is becoming increasingly clear that the thoroughbred racing industry is, in its current form, unable to stand on its own. Why continue to prop up an industry like that?

Even if you're a fan of the corporate bail out, remember that this isn't a massive bank that American families depend on for their savings and loans. This is a sport where people raise animals to race around a track so people can get drunk and bet on the results. Charming? Maybe. But economically important? Definitely not.

I agree with Meisner - who cares what's fair to Cordish?! They build casinos to suck money out of gambling addicts and spend millions of dollars on lobbying and political campaigns to advance their sordid business interests.

I don't feel sorry for Penn National either - they are just a self-interested as Cordish. If they have, however, the guts, smarts, and dollars to to get a casino into Laurel that will help the horse-racing industry, more power to them...

Jeff Peters,

I think you are mixing apples and oranges with your question.

The Maryland Racing Commission can not prohibit PNG from owning Laurel and Pimlico. The company has every right to enter into a business partnership with MID, especially considering the land and buildings involved in the deal have value.

But, the MRC DOES have the right to deny PNG, as a partner to MID, a racing license. Magna's current racing license expires on Dec 31 - just as my current owner's license expires and I have to apply to the MRC for a new thoroughbred owner's license for 2011. Once Magna's 2010 racing license expires, there can be no racing at either Pimlico or Laurel in 2011 until the MRC grants a new license to the owner's of the racetracks and allocates racing dates.

It appears that until such time as MID/PNG, or a new track owner, submits a business plan including Yr 2011 racing dates to MRC for approval, there will be no racing and no simulcasting in Maryland. Effectively, that puts MID/PNG out of the racing business in Maryland.