Stronach Group Derserves Kudos for Changes

The camera panned the apron along the front stretch at Laurel Park Race Track Saturday, Oct. 17, showing a scene more familiar in old 1911 and 1940 photographs than in modern-day horse racing. But there, on the infield’s big screen was pictured a massive crowd, from one end of the stretch to the other, enjoying the sunshine and the racing – and it wasn’t a Triple Crown race, either.

The excitement and turnout coincided with the Maryland Jockey Club’s official unveiling of $14 million in improvements, $7 million of them in the clubhouse and grandstand, at Laurel during the 30th annual Jim McKay Maryland Million Day.

“It was great,” said Tim Keefe, president of the MTHA. “I’ve watched the process, going to meetings there every Tuesday. I knew what was coming. I’ve seen the slow progress through all the remodeling. But to see it all finished, all at once, it had a big effect. It was impressive.”

Maryland Million Day celebrates and honors Maryland racing – its owners, breeders, trainers and its horses – and it turned out to be its best day ever. Attendance was up 5.5 percent to 19,119; the betting handle was up 37 percent, more than $1 million, to $3.8 million.

“I heard from all the horsemen about how much they appreciated what we’ve been doing with the renovations,” track vice president and general manager Sal Sinatra said. “It’s a reflection on all of us. We all shared in a wonderful day.”

It was a wonderful day, but Keefe and Bruce Quade, a Maryland Racing Commission board member and past chairman, gave The Stronach Group, owners of the MJC, and its representatives – chief operating officer Tim Ritvo and Sinatra – high marks for the revitalization project that has been and continues to be underway at the track.

There are new hardwood floors, rugs, and blue and white paint scheme on the walls; bright red and blue banners hanging from the rafters, helping to make the facility brighter; New furniture, including work desks for fans who like to handicap, and comfortable couches for relaxing in front of some of the televisions. Speaking of TVs, there are hundreds of them, including a 17 ½-foot-high definition screen in the new simulcast center, Silks. And, there are new restaurants and new concession stands, all with improved food offerings and slightly lower prices; mobile apps, a simulcast and replay center, bars and a new events area called Marylandia that features food trucks, live entertainment and Flying Dog craft beers and cider. Not to mention, new barns.

And there’s more to come, Sinatra said the week after the Million.

“We’re gutting the second floor, as we speak,” he said. “We have plans for a sports bar up there.”

Sinatra said people came up to him individually and told him how much they appreciated what is being done.

“No one has done anything here for so long,” he said. “We’re excited to be doing it. We may slow down a little bit through the holidays, but we’re not going to stop.”

The most striking thing to Quade is how The Stronach Group has translated the improvements into excitement and increased attendance.

“Maryland Million Day was stunning,” he said. “And it was really, really gratifying to see that all the things they’re doing are paying off. The [Stronach Group] is making a huge, huge commitment into making Laurel a world-class facility. I can’t say enough about the commitment and their staff.“

Quade said he met Alon Ossip, The Stronach Group’s chief executive officer, and he talked avidly about the company’s desire to continue with the track’s refurbishment.

“He reiterated his and [Frank] Stronach’s commitment to the long-term development at Laurel Park,” Quade said. “That’s a big deal. . . . I’ve got to tell you, it’s hard not to be excited. They’ve stepped up to the plate and it is a success story.”

Keefe couldn’t agree more.

“We are very thankful for what they’re doing,” he said. “Sal said people are coming up and shaking his hand and thanking him. But I’m not surprised. We know the fan base is here. They’re making Laurel Park a nice entertainment venue.”

Maryland racing, evidently, just required some TLC from the Maryland Jockey Club’s parent company. Maryland Million Day found the track’s restaurants packed, the betting windows busy and bubbling conversation in the air.

“Now they’re making it what we all knew it could be,” Keefe said. “You could see it at Maryland Million Day. It was like we imagine in the 1940s – there were a lot of people and they were happy to be here. It’s very easy to sit home on your couch and watch sports on television. You need a reason to be here. Now we have a good venue, good food, good racing. The MJC is making a reason for people to come.”

It gives horsemen a reason to come to work, too, he said, adding it has been a revelation to see management and horsemen working together.

“You can see the progress,” he said. “And when we have issues and concerns, they listen to us and those issues get resolved. It makes you feel there is a purpose to your job and a reason to be part of the process.”