Pimlico vs. Laurel: A look at the facilities

Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun
Aerial view of Pimlico Race Course.

PUBLISHED: March 1, 2019 at 8:00 AM CST | UPDATED: July 1, 2019 at 7:59 PM CDT

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Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, about 30 miles apart, have very different looks. Seven miles northwest of downtown Baltimore, Pimlico’s “Old Hilltop” track is steeped in nearly 149 years of history. But a recent study called it “antiquated,” and The Stronach Group — owner of both tracks — says Pimlico “has reached the end of its useful life as a major event venue” and that it lacks the space and infrastructure of Laurel.

Baltimore officials say The Stronach Group has slighted Pimlico by investing heavily in upgrading Laurel, which could one day host the prestigious Preakness Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup.

“We think from a business perspective you’d only invest in one place,” said Tim Ritvo, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group’s racing division.

Ritvo said the company is considering an $80 million renovation of Laurel, including “sky suites” and more new barns. Laurel already has four new barns along the backstretch, a more refined look than Pimlico and more amenities.

Here are some visual comparisons of the two tracks:

The restrooms

The Stronach Group says it would like to give Laurel an “elevated,” family-friendly look. The restrooms are part of that.

“Women go to racetracks and it’s embarrassing the way the restrooms are,” Ritvo said.

The company said it has “fixed up some bathrooms” at Pimlico, as well, but Ritvo singled out this women’s lounge at Laurel as an example of the direction that track is moving in.

A restroom at Pimlico Race Course — A women's restroom at Pimlico Race Course is empty of furnishings. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

Restroom at Laurel Park Race Course — Adjacent to a women's restroom at Laurel Park, there's a funished lounge. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

The grandstands

While Pimlico’s grandstand is traditional — rows of seats facing the oval track — Laurel’s grandstand now includes “lounges” with couches, tables, flowers and chessboards. It’s part of the push for the track to be family-friendly.

Grandstand seating at Pimlico Race Course — Pimlico Race Course grandstand seating is traditional and lacks the "lounges" that Laurel has. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

Overlooking Laurel Park Race Course's track — Laurel Park has comfortable furniture overlooking the track in parts of the lower grandstand. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

The simulcast area

The Stronach Group said it has invested millions of dollars in recent years on Wi-Fi upgrades and flat-screen monitors in the simulcast areas of both tracks.

The simulcast rooms of Pimlico and Laurel — each with carrels and banks of monitors — are not radically different, although Pimlico’s has more of an institutional look.

Simulcast area at Pimlico Race Course — Pimlico Race Course has carrels and monitors that are standard for a simulcast area for wagering on out-of-town races. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

Simulcast area at Laurel Park Race Course — Like Pimlico, Laurel Park's simulcasting area has been updated with new flat screens. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

The barns

Laurel is getting all-new, white barns with steeples. They allow ample light inside and an open-air feel.

Pimlico’s old barns — with brick on the outside and cinder block and wood inside — appear clean and functional, but are darker and smaller than the new barns at Laurel Park.

Barn at Pimlico Race Course — Horses relax in a brick barn at Pimlico Race Course. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

Barn at Laurel Park Race Course — Laurel Park's resident barn cat, William, sits in his customary perch on a saddle in one of the new barns. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

The sports room and video gaming room

Laurel has some amenities that Pimlico lacks. These include a space devoted to watching sports on large screens mounted on a wall. The track hopes this could one day become a sports betting parlor, if wagering on football, basketball and other sports is legalized in Maryland.

Laurel also has a video gaming room that regularly hosts tournaments.

Sports Room at Laurel Park Race Course — Laurel Park has a sports room that could one day be devoted to sports betting. Pimlico does not have an equivalent new room. Barbara Haddock Taylor / Baltimore Sun

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Pimlico vs. Laurel: A look at the facilities