BALTIMORE, 06-11-13---The Maryland Jockey Club concluded its spring meeting at Pimlico Race Course last weekend with total wagering of $188 million, an increase of 12% from a year ago. However, the average daily handle was 12% lower than 2012, down from $5.2million to $4.6million, because of an increase in live racing days.

“There were a lot of positives about the meet,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. “We decided to race through the Belmont Stakes for the first time since 2008, which is significant for two reasons. The first, we are a Triple Crown track and it is important to be open during the entire series. Secondly, we want to sustain the momentum built during Preakness but like the policy change made to the infield, it is going to take time for this to materialize.”

Preakness weekend was a major success as more than 156,000 fans attended the Black-Eyed Susan (38,957) and Preakness day (117,203) cards at Old Hilltop. During the two days, there were 26 high-quality races, including the 138^th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), and performances by nine musical acts in the famed infield.

“Opening up the infield on Friday was a home run,” added Chuckas. “We will continue to work to find ways to improve the weekend. It was also special to see D. Wayne Lukas and Gary Stevens win the Preakness with Oxbow. Wayne is one of the best ambassadors in our sport and Gary’s comeback was complete with a crafty ride that stole the race for its Hall of Fame connections.”

2013 Pimlico Spring Handle PDF

About Pimlico Race Course

Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.