Approval given for Laurel Park fall meet

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Laurel, MD (Sports Network) - Tuesday afternoon the Maryland Racing Commission gave final approval to the 2012 fall race meet at Laurel Park. The track is operated by the Maryland Jockey Club which had reached agreement with both the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Maryland Horse Breeders Association.

The 69-day fall meeting gets underway on Wednesday, Sept. 5 and goes through the end of the year. There will be five additional stakes on the schedule to bring the total to 32.

"It is important to have stakes races bolster our Saturday cards," said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. "To build our business from a handle standpoint, races need to be more attractive to simulcast players. We are in the process of finalizing the promotional schedule for the fall, which we expect will bring more fans into the building."

During the meeting, racing will be conducted four days a week, not counting holidays, and have an average daily purse of $240,000. This increase, from $210,000, is directly linked to revenue from slot machines in Maryland.