Summer Ends On a High Note With Increased Numbers At Big T

Things continue to look up for Maryland racing as the Maryland State Fair concluded with a festive meet of thoroughbred racing that featured a significant increase handle across the board. Total wagering on the seven-day meet totaled $3,572,474 with an average live handle increase of 12.5%, bolstered by an 30% increase on the Labor Day card alone.

For many patrons, the meet was an opportunity to get their first glimpse of the new OTB facility that runs year round in the grandstand at Timonium. Attendees could take advantage of the indoor, air conditioned, facilities of the OTB Center to escape from the summer heat or grab a bite to eat at the Grandstand Grille which features many of Maryland’s finest food. The OTB Center is open year round, 7 days a week, and should be even more popular in the future following the exposure it received during the live racing meet at Timonium.

Any successful racing meet could not be possible without horsemen’s support and with the increased trainer bonuses the meet proved to be a success. The first bonus for $5,000 was awarded to the trainer with the most money earned during the meet and it went to Claudio Gonzalez who ended up with five winners and over $93,000 in purse earnings. The second bonus, also $5,000, was a points driven competition that went to trainer Wayne Potts who had two winners at the meet, but also 12 second and third place finishers. Phil Schoenthal, who had four winners at the meet, took home second place money, $4,000, in the points competition, and trainers Kieron Magee, Gerald Brooks, and Donald Bar, walked away with $2,000 each.

The MTHA would like to thank all horsemen for their support in putting on a successful Timonium Fair Meet and we look forward to seeing everyone next year at the “Spa of the South”.