News Summary:
On April 15, 2026, 1/ST expressed its support for the SAFE Act, emphasizing that horse care serves as a clear point of agreement within the racing community. Previously, on January 19, 2026, Maryland announced plans to acquire Laurel Park, intending to convert the historic racetrack into a training center. This initiative would replace a prior proposal to develop a training center at Shamrock Farm, forming part of a broader strategy to revitalize the state's thoroughbred horse racing industry. Earlier, on January 7, 2026, the average daily handle for races at Laurel and Pimlico in 2025 reached $3,407,493, marking a 13.49% increase over 2024. These figures included Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days, both of which remain under the control of The Stronach Group for 2025 and 2026. This followed 1/ST Racing's decision, announced July 29, 2025, to discontinue selling the simulcast signal from Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park to Hipódromo Camarero in Puerto Rico, effective that weekend, citing concerns over horse welfare and safety. Concurrently on July 29, 2025, 1/ST also revealed plans to honor D. Wayne Lukas and Christophe Clement by renaming graded stakes races at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park in their memory.
Subscribe for full access to The Stronach Group's profile
Subscribe for full access to The Stronach Group's products in full detail 
