Laurel Park

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Laurel Park Racing Schedule: Wednesday through Saturday Sunday cards begin in October Special Monday card on February 21st Racing Dates 2008: January 1 - April 15 August 11 - August 24 September 9 - December 29 Post Times: 1:10 p.m. Laurel Park Location: Laurel, Maryland Laurel Park Official Website: www.laurelpark.com

Laurel Park Facts:

Laurel Park first opened its doors on October 2, 1911. Eventually, Laurel Park caught the eye of New York City grocery entrepreneur James Butler. In 1914, James Butler decided to buy Laurel Park. To ensure the success of Laurel Park, James Butler hired Col. Matt Winn as the track's general manager. A legend, Col. Matt Winn is credited with putting the famed Kentucky Derby on the map. It was a match made in heaven as the popularity of Laurel Park began picking up.

In 1947, just after the craziness of World War II subsided, Laurel Park changed owners. The Maryland Jockey Club decided to purchase Laurel Park to add on to their other racetrack holdings. The ownership was short lived as legislature got in the way of the Maryland Jockey Club's plans. They quickly sold Laurel Park to its new owner, Morris Schapiro. New renovations were conducted and the track's name was changed to Laurel Race Course.

A new race was invented at Laurel Park - the Washington D.C. International. It was a race designed to bring out the world's best horses for a showdown on grass. The International flourished and became a staple at Laurel Park. The International was a race that was one everyone's calendar. However, in 1995, the International was canceled. Laurel Park has a long history of spending money on renovations. Today, Laurel Park serves as an example of what a fine horse racing venue needs to be. It's full of recent improvements including the creation of the Horse Wizard. The Horse Wizard is their state of the art room that has forty wagering devices that are specially designed with the least talented horse racing enthusiast in mind. Everyday they help introduce the fun and excitement of pari-mutuel horse betting to guests.

The Laurel Park Race Track is no stranger to fast horse racing action. Take a look at some of these fast turf horse racing times.

• Five Furlongs: 57 seconds by Sik kim in 1967.
• Five and one-half Furlongs: 1:02 by Oops I Am 1994.
• Six Furlongs: 1:08 by Texas Glitter in 2000.
• One Mile: 1:34 by Portsmouth in 1965.
• Two Miles: 3:23 by Summer Ensign in 1993

The Laurel Park Race Track also has a main dirt track. Here are some of the top time records on the dirt racetrack.

• Four and a half Furlongs: 52 seconds by Weightmaster in 1964.
• Five Furlongs: 57 seconds by Dave's Friend in 1980.
• Six Furlongs: 1:07 by Richter Scale in 2000.
• Seven Furlongs: 1:21 by Tappiano in 1989.
• One Mile: 1:34 by Skipper's Friend in 1980

Many of the speed records at Laurel Park Race Track are standing the test of time. It's common to see a speed record that is 10,20 or more years old. Some great horses have come through and raced at the Laurel Park Race Track.