Pimlico race course's future may depend on slots

The Pimlico race course is the home of the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, however, it's future in the horse racing business look grim.

Pimlico race course's future may depend on slots According to Gov. Martin O’Malley, allowing slots in the state of Maryland could be to only way of survival for the horse racing industry in the state, and maybe the only way Maryland could hold on to the Preakness Stakes. According to O'Malley's numbers, if around 1,500 slot machines are made operational across the horse racing tracks in the state, this would bring over $50 million in additional revenues, and help keep a lot of the horse track jobs.

In addition, numbers show that over $400 million in wagers leave Maryland annually to go to the neighboring Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia. Keeping those millions in the state could help Maryland with its structural deficit, and would boost the horse racing industry, as well, claim the supporters of legalizing the slot machines.

Historic Pimlico Race Course first opened on Oct. 25, 1870, making it the second-oldest racetrack in the United States. "Pimlico" was a name given to the area in Maryland by English settlers during colonial times.

05/19/2007