Preakness bill coming?
The word in Annapolis is that legislation may be coming today to strengthen the state's hold on the Preakness Stakes. The capital has been nervous about the fate of Maryland's premier sporting event since Magna Entertainment Corp, the owner of Pimlico and Laurel Park, declared bankruptcy earlier this year, but it really reached a fever pitch last week when a Pikesville shopping center developer floated the idea of buying the tracks and razing at least Pimlico.
But can the state really do anything about it? Nobody knows. The other thing is, correct me if I'm wrong, but it's not like there's a horse racing governing body like NASCAR or the PGA that says "these races shall be the triple crown." The Preakness is a big deal by tradition, by the money involved and by virtue of where it lands on the calendar vis a vis the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. How do you pass a law saying "there will be a race in Maryland between these other two races that all the top horses will compete in?" I guess we'll find out.
Comments
It's funny, the State is very concerned about holding onto the Preakness, but the majority of the legislators seem willing to overlook the surrounding community while it struggles to survive. If any legislation is introduced to keep Preakness there, it should contain funding to revitalize the community. Yes, there is still a community next to that racetrack.
Posted by: brian | April 7, 2009 12:05 PM
The Preakness did not run at Pimlico for quite a few years if you remember.
If we lose it it will be the GA's fault.
Posted by: Fed Up | April 7, 2009 12:36 PM
Any law Annapolis creates will be challenged in court by a potential Pimlico suitor and will be defeated.
The Preakness is a goner it is just a matter of time. Thank the morons in Annapolis who refused to give Ehrlich a victory on slots! If slots had passed 4 years ago this topic would be irrelevant.
Posted by: jay | April 7, 2009 12:52 PM
Of course there's a bill coming. Lobbyists are still getting paid, aren't they?
Posted by: Jay | April 7, 2009 1:53 PM
Say it ain't so!
It sounds like it was from some comments on your previous post about it... and rarely do we see a lot of media attention without some sort of legislative response (think hospitals, ground rents, pornographic films).
The question is...again....what are people willing to give up for preakness? Education dollars? GO bonds for transportation programs? Slots-dedicated funds?
Posted by: Interim Awaits | April 7, 2009 3:00 PM
Re: post by Interim Awaits.
Oh, yeah, there are no lobbying efforts regarding such a bill. You're either extremely naive or you're a troll for one of the interested parties/lobbying firms involved.
Maybe Preakness can be sold to, and hosted in, a state where it is something other than a low class festival.
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