Racing to continue at Rosecroft in 2013
August 07, 2012
Penn National Gaming has agreed to a two year contract extension to continue live harness racing at Rosecroft Raceway with the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association. The final agreement was signed on Aug. 3. The agreement provides for live racing to continue provided there is no casino approved for a location other than Rosecroft Raceway in Prince George's County.
Highlights of the agreement call for 100 percent of all races to be Maryland preferred, 54 days of live racing to be conducted with two nights of racing per week, and a spring and fall meet. The spring and fall meet will provide Maryland horsemen with an extended opportunity for live racing which will result in almost year round live racing in Maryland.
"We appreciate Penn National being a great partner for the Maryland Standardbred industry," said Thomas Cooke, president of the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association. "They are working closely with the horsemen to rebuild and revitalize the Standardbred industry here. The opportunity for Maryland horsemen to have a live racing calendar that begins in March and ends in December is a tremendous benefit. We are very grateful that Penn National is willing to stand with us and face the challenges of making the Standardbred industry great in spite of the fact that they receive no operating subsidies like other race tracks.