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The Horsemen’s Newsletter

May 2021 Vol. 30 • Number 5 Pension Laurel Surface Project: Deadline Horse Relocation Plan Less Than A In The Works Month Away Virtual sign-ups for the Back- stretch Pension Plan are underway, with a June 1, 2021, deadline to sign up. The Mary- land Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors earlier this year continued to affirm its support for the Backstretch Pen- sion Program when it approved $900,000 in pension funding for the program. Horsemen employed in the care of horses on the backstretch at , or the Fair Hill Training Center, includ- The Maryland Club and Maryland be installed because an underground stream in ing trainers, are eligible to participate. How- Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association are work- the substructure near the five-eighths pole has ever, the eligible employee must have worked ing on a plan to relocate horses stabled at Laurel been identified as a problem. Bore samples have a minimum of 1,000 hours during 2020 and Park to Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland been taken to ensure “consistency and stability” is provide documentation to that effect (with a State Fair at Timonium in order to expedite and there, and any trouble spots have been identified. W-2 or 1099 form, or tax return). properly complete the rebuilding of the Laurel “Our hope was to keep the modified train- dirt surface. ing schedule (at Laurel), but Aidan is dead-set on Continued on Page 2 The relocation plan was part of the latest up- doing it the right way and not cutting corners,” date on the Laurel surface project during an April MTHA President Tim Keefe said. “Our hope is the 30 Zoom meeting hosted by the MTHA. The proj- track is not only safer but the project can be done ect entails examination of the substructure and in a more expedited fashion. Hopefully by July 1 necessary repairs, replacement of the limestone we’ll be back at Laurel. I’m not advertising it but base, and the addition of new cushion material. that’s our hope. I’m confident this isn’t lip service. “Unfortunate as it is, the best way to proceed It will be little painful the next two months but is to move the horse population after the Preak- I’m confident we’ll get things done the right way.” Under the relocation plan, tented temporary ness out of Laurel,” said Aidan Butler, Chief Oper- stalls would be placed at Pimlico the day after ating Officer for The Stronach Group (1/ST RAC- the May 15 Stakes. In addition, regu- ING). “The main benefit is the track crew will not lar stalls in barns on the grandstand side will be be limited. The optimum would be working from available soon after the big racing weekend. dawn to dusk every day.” As for Timonium, which has over 500 stalls Other important benefits, Butler said, are the available when horses leave the grounds several safety aspect—horses are currently permitted to days after the May 17-18 Fasig-Tipton sale, the MJC gallop or jog on the outer half of the dirt track, and MTHA discussed the options with State Fair but that could be problematic as more intense officials later on April 30. Regular track main- work begins—and facilitating a rodent eradica- tenance, staffing, and financial terms for what tion project by emptying out all the barns. Other amounts to renting Timonium for a period of work can also be done to improve the stable area time are part of the discussions, as is developing a while the horses and most vehicles are gone. Butler said a French drainage system would Continued on Page 2 Medstar To Administer Pension, Continued Benefits become available when the employee reaches the age of 65, or at age COVID-19 Vaccines 55 with 25 years of service. More about the program, including qualifications, is avail- able at: https://mdhorsemen.com/index. At Laurel Park, Pimlico php/services/pension-program. MedStar Health, in conjunction with the Mary- vide the on-site vaccinations at the two tracks. Eligible participants should follow these steps to enroll in the program: land Horsemen’s Health System, will be visiting The vaccines will be administered from 9 a.m. Fully complete the registration form by Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course Monday, May to 1 p.m. A MedStar mobile unit will be sent to the clicking this online link: https://mdhorse- 10, to administer the first round of COVID-19 vac- Laurel stable area adjacent the Recreation Room men.com/pension. If you need assistance cinations to members of the and Track Kitchen, while Pim- filling out this form in English or Español, backstretch community. lico will have a “clinic in a box” call Diana Pinones at 410-902-6844, Tom Dr. Kelly Ryan of MedStar just inside the Horsemen’s En- LaMarra at (859) 492-8365 or Jessica Ham- Health, which provides the trance in the physician’s office mond at (301) 776-0404. physicians for the Horsemen’s in the grandstand. You must submit a W2, 1099 or tax Health System, arranged for MedStar has hosted more return documenting the earnings you re- the vaccine allotment through than 25 such vaccination clin- ported on the registration form. You may the help of the Maryland ics in various community set- do this by emailing a PDF or a photo of the Department of Health and tings, officials said. tax documents as well as a photo of your Dr. Mark Martin as well as “This will be a really good Maryland Racing Commission badge to Dr. Athol Morgan, a cardiologist and Thorough- thing for the backstretch community,” Ryan said. [email protected]; texting a photo of bred racehorse owner. The vaccines were secured “It has been difficult getting this community vac- the tax documents and badge to (443) 805- through the Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force, cinated as a group, though we have signed up a 1995; or dropping forms off at the MTHA which works with Maryland healthcare providers lot of people individually.” Racetrack Offices at Laurel or Pimlico. Call on COVID-19 vaccination efforts for underserved, The second round of Moderna vaccines will the MTHA office at 410-902-6844 with any vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. be administered at Laurel and Pimlico Monday, questions. Ryan then worked with MedStar Health to pro- June 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2021 Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship Series Schedule: 3-Year-Old & Up Sprint - Dirt Date Race Purse Age Sex Distance Track 5/15/21 Maryland Sprint Handicap (G3) $150,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 6 fur. Pimlico 7/4/21 Lite The Fuse Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 7 fur. Laurel Park MTHA Express 7/31/21 Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 6 1/2 fur. Laurel Park 8/23/21 $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 6 fur. Colonial Downs 9/18/21 De Francis Dash (G3) $200,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 6 fur. Laurel Park Now At Pimlico 12/26/21 Dave's Friend Stakes (Listed) $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 6 fur. Laurel Park Laurel, continued from Page 1 3-Year-Old & Up Long - Dirt plan for the daily transportation of Laurel-based Date Race Purse Age Sex Distance Track backstretch workers who may not have their own 5/14/21 (G3) $250,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 1 3/16 mi. Pimlico 7/31/21 Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 1 1/8 mi. Laurel Park vehicles. 8/23/21 Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 1 1/16 mi. Colonial Downs The State Fair, MJC and MTHA said they are 9/18/21 Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 1 mi. Laurel Park committed to reaching an agreement. Keefe said 11/27/21 Richard Small Stakes (Listed) $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 1 1/8 mi. Laurel Park 12/26/21 Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up 1 1/16 mi. Laurel Park the MJC and MTHA would attempt to accommo- date horsemen’s preferences should they relocate and , 3-Year-Old & Up Sprint - Dirt to either Timonium or Pimlico. Date Race Purse Age Sex Distance Track Some horsemen have been able to get stalls at 5/15/21 Skipat Stakes (Listed) $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 6 fur. Pimlico other tracks such as Delaware Park, which doesn’t 6/12/21 Shine Again Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 7 fur. Laurel Park 7/31/21 Alma North Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 6 1/2 fur. Laurel Park begin its live race meet until May 26. In response 8/23/21 Seeking The Pearl Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 7 fur. Colonial Downs to a question whether horsemen who have an op- 9/18/21 Weathervane Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 6 fur. Laurel Park portunity to move temporarily to another track 12/26/21 Willa On The Move Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 6 fur. Laurel Park would be penalized, Butler said: “Absolutely, cat- Fillies and Mares, 3-Year-Old & Up Long - Dirt egorically, no. There will be no stall changes or Date Race Purse Age Sex Distance Track penalization.” 5/14/21 Allaire Dupont Stakes (G3) $150,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 1 1/8 mi. Pimlico Officials said racing will continue at Pimlico, 7/4/21 Caesar's Wish Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 1 mi. Laurel Park where the meet is scheduled to end May 31, until 8/23/21 Love Sign Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 1 1/16 mi. Colonial Downs 9/18/21 Twixt Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 1 1/16 mi. Laurel Park racing can return to Laurel. Because of the longer 11/13/21 Thirty Eight GoGo Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 1 1/16 mi. Laurel Park meet, the turf course will be closely monitored 12/26/21 Carousel Stakes $100,000 3-Year-Olds & Up Fillies and Mares 1 1/8 mi. Laurel Park and used accordingly, Butler said. MTHA, MJC Text Systems Will Provide Updates

2021 Session Productive For Maryland Horsemen The Maryland Senate and House of Delegates Class A-1 initial license application fees are $2 April 12 both passed broad legislation authorizing million. The license renewal fee after five years is implementation of sports betting as approved last 1% of a licensee’s average annual proceeds from November in a statewide constitutional referen- sports wagering from the preceding three-year Horsemen, their employees, and other mem- dum. Most facilities and off-track bet- period less any proceeds remitted by the licensee. bers of the backstretch community are encour- ting outlets are eligible for licenses. The General The Class A-2 license fee is $1 million. aged to follow the Maryland Thoroughbred Assembly also passed a video lottery terminal bill Class B licenses, like those for OTB facilities, Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Jockey that will generate substantially more revenue for are two-tiered. The license fee for Class B-1 facili- Club text message systems. Training schedules at the Purse Dedication Account. ties is $250,000; for Class B-2 the fee is $50,000. Laurel Park could change on a daily basis and this The Senate had amended the House bill (HB Class B-2 is a facility with less than 25 full-time will be the primary method of communication. 940), which resulted in a compromise hammered employees or $3 million in annual gross receipts. To receive texts from the MTHA simply text out just days before the General Assembly ended All others are Class B-1. MTHA to 313131. its 2021 session April 12. The final vote in the Sen- Mobile licenses will cost $500,000. Class A For the MJC, the number for the system has ate was 47-0, while the House voted 122-16. The and B licensees are eligible to apply for mobile changed to 855-860-4664. Any new subscribers measure, which has emergency status to facilitate licenses. will have to text MJCRACING to the new number. the awarding of licenses, now goes to Gov. Larry The state tax rate for retail and mobile sports Text updates often are sent on a daily basis Hogan for his signature. bets is 15% across the board. Any amount of rev- given the ongoing project to repair the dirt surface The compromise legislation calls for 10 desig- enue for purses would be subject to negotiations at Laurel and the shift of racing to Pimlico Race nated Class A licenses, 30 Class B licenses—plus among industry stakeholders. Course. seven designated Class B licensees—and up to The VLT legislation (HB532), which deals with The MTHA is also scheduling regular com- 60 mobile betting licenses. The Class A licenses payout percentages, distribution of proceeds and munity meetings via Zoom to provide the latest would go to the six casinos in the state, the Mary- building restrictions, changes previous statute re- updates. Check your text messages and email for land Jockey Club for Laurel Park and Pimlico Race garding Purse Dedication Account payments by notifications of upcoming online meetings. Course only, and the three professional baseball Rocky Gap Casino & Resort in western Maryland. and football stadiums in the state. The casino’s annual payment of 2.5% of VLT rev- The seven designated Class B licenses are enue for purses was to sunset after 10 years, but for the at Timonium, four the revised law sets a continued payment of 6%, The Horsemen’s standalone OTB facilities—Long Shot’s in Freder- the amount paid by the other five casinos. ick, the Boonsboro Event Center, Greenmount in Through March 2021 of the current fiscal Newsletter Hampstead and Riverboat on the Potomac—and year, PDA revenue generated at Rocky Gap to- Published by the two commercial bingo operations with 200 or taled $951,000. Using a 6% share instead of 2.5%, more machines. the PDA would have received $2.28 million based MTHA Class A-1 licenses would go to VLT facilities on the same gross revenue figures. The revised 500 Redland Court – Suite 105, with more than 1,000 machines—MGM National VLT law also allows casinos to adjust the average Harbor, Live! Casino and Horseshoe Casino Balti- percentage payout from VLTs from a floor of 87% Owings Mills, Maryland 21117; more—and the three professional team stadiums. to 85% and an average percent payout of more (410) 902-6842; Fax: (410) 902-6841; Class A-2 licenses are for the MJC Thoroughbred than 88% but not more than 95%. Estimates sug- E-mail: [email protected] racetracks and VLT facilities with 1,000 or fewer gest that this change could generate an additional Website: www.mdhorsemen.com machines: Hollywood Casino Perryville, Casino at $5 million annually for the PDA based on early Ocean Downs and Rocky Gap Casino & Resort. projections. MARYLAND THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE

beyondthewire.org

MTHA STANDARD 500 Redland Court, #105 PRE-SORT US POSTAGE Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 PAID PERMIT #15 May 2021 WESTMINSTER, MD

World-Class Health Services Board of Directors For A World-Class Workforce A. Ferris Allen, III Ellen M. Charles Lacey A. Gaudet Linda S. Gaudet R. Larry Johnson JoAnn Hayden Michael F. Horning Timothy L. Keefe H. Graham Motion Joseph P. Pons, Jr. Charles J. Reed Philip B. Schoenthal Michael J. Trombetta Call 410-902-6844 To Schedule Katharine M. Voss A Free Appointment David H. Wade