ANNAPOLIS, Md. — On Wednesday, a Maryland panel greenlit a $14.3 million agreement aimed at starting the demolition and reconstruction process for Baltimore’s historic yet outdated Pimlico Race Course. The venue hosts one of the most prestigious events in horse racing, the Preakness Stakes, which is the second leg of the Triple Crown series.

The decision by the three-person Board of Public Works, featuring Governor Wes Moore, was reached just 10 days prior to the 150th edition of the Preakness Stakes, set for May 17. This marks the final occasion the prestigious horse race will take place under current conditions before the racetrack undergoes reconstruction at the same location. Demolition work is slated to commence immediately following this year’s event.

“The timing couldn’t be more ideal for launching this initiative aimed at turning Pimlico into an all-year center for economic growth within the Park Heights area,” Moore stated regarding the Baltimore neighborhood and the historic location of the race.

As per the plan, the Preakness will be held at Laurel Park, situated roughly southwest of Baltimore, in 2026 while the construction of the new venue progresses. It will then revert to Pimlico for the 2027 event.

Craig Thompson, who chairs the Maryland Stadium Authority supervising the new track’s design, stated that their aim is to transform Pimlico into Maryland’s premier venue for thoroughbred horse racing. According to Thompson, the number of annual races at the track would significantly increase from around 15 to more than 100.

This goes beyond merely discussing a racetrack, despite its historical and significant role,” Thompson stated. “The focus is on attracting upwards of hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding to Park Heights.

Thompson additionally provided a sneak peek at the design proposals. These feature a fresh clubhouse whose architectural style draws inspiration from both the Rawlings Conservatory located in Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park and the historic Pimlico Clubhouse, known for its colonnades and rooftop terraces, as mentioned by Thompson.

The board gave approval last year for an agreement to shift the ownership of Pimlico from The Stronach Group to the State of Maryland, ensuring that the Preakness would stay in Baltimore.

For decades, the state has been grappling with how to revive the historic racetrack known aptly as Old Hilltop, which first opened its doors in 1870. This venue witnessed numerous champions like Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, and Secretariat striding triumphantly into the winners’ enclosure.

But its age has long been a concern. In 2019, the Maryland Jockey Club closed off nearly 7,000 grandstand seats, citing the “safety and security of all guests and employees.”

The horse racing sector along with other related equine activities has long been a pillar of Maryland’s agricultural landscape and plays a crucial role in maintaining open spaces.