Churchill Downs Makes Bid to Buy Pimlico

[CoronadosQuest]

After what they did to Arlington... I hope they do NOT buy Pimlico.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/poli ... RD6TWS7LY/

As Maryland lawmakers consider a plan for the state to take ownership of the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, another potential owner has entered the discussion: Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs Inc., the publicly traded parent company of the Louisville track that hosts the Kentucky Derby, has made an “overture” to buy Pimlico, home of the Preakness Stakes, according to two sources in the state capital familiar with the negotiations.

[flytpthestars]

They r a nightmare

[Tessablue]

I don't think they would torpedo the second leg of the series they claim ownership of, but who even knows. 1/ST vs CDI is a race to the bottom.

[CoronadosQuest]

I don't think they would torpedo the second leg of the series they claim ownership of, but who even knows. 1/ST vs CDI is a race to the bottom.

I don't trust CDI at all. I can't imagine NYRA would be too thrilled at this move if they did this, either. I don't know this, of course, but I doubt they'd be too happy if CDI owned two legs of the Triple Crown.

[Cigarillo]

This purchase doesn't make sense. From what I recall, the Preakness is still owned by Stronach and will be leased to Pimlico Racetrack.

What financial sense does this make for Churchill to purchase the track without its signature race being included?

Edit:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/spor ... HSHUKJNCE/

"The state-run nonprofit will pay Stronach $3 million annually plus 2% of the gross handle on Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days over the next 10 years, Cross testified during a March 19 hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Last year’s handle, i.e. the amount of money wagered, was about $101.7 million on Preakness day, with $47.8 million of that bet on Preakness alone. The handle has surpassed $100 million each of the last three years."

[Missbeholder]

This purchase doesn't make sense. From what I recall, the Preakness is still owned by Stronach and will be leased to Pimlico Racetrack.

What financial sense does this make for Churchill to purchase the track without its signature race being included?

Edit:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/spor ... HSHUKJNCE/

"The state-run nonprofit will pay Stronach $3 million annually plus 2% of the gross handle on Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days over the next 10 years, Cross testified during a March 19 hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Last year’s handle, i.e. the amount of money wagered, was about $101.7 million on Preakness day, with $47.8 million of that bet on Preakness alone. The handle has surpassed $100 million each of the last three years."

Well, if they have any thoughts about continuing the Baffert ban, this would be one way of keeping him out of the Preakness too! Wouldn't that be a kick!! 🫢

[Flanders]

This purchase doesn't make sense. From what I recall, the Preakness is still owned by Stronach and will be leased to Pimlico Racetrack.

What financial sense does this make for Churchill to purchase the track without its signature race being included?

Edit:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/spor ... HSHUKJNCE/

"The state-run nonprofit will pay Stronach $3 million annually plus 2% of the gross handle on Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days over the next 10 years, Cross testified during a March 19 hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Last year’s handle, i.e. the amount of money wagered, was about $101.7 million on Preakness day, with $47.8 million of that bet on Preakness alone. The handle has surpassed $100 million each of the last three years."

I would imagine that CDI would want to buy the rights to the Preakness as well. They aren't going to do the same deal that the state run group wanted to do. Then they'll close down Pimlico and try to move the race to Churchill Downs.

[Missbeholder]

This purchase doesn't make sense. From what I recall, the Preakness is still owned by Stronach and will be leased to Pimlico Racetrack.

What financial sense does this make for Churchill to purchase the track without its signature race being included?

Edit:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/spor ... HSHUKJNCE/

"The state-run nonprofit will pay Stronach $3 million annually plus 2% of the gross handle on Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days over the next 10 years, Cross testified during a March 19 hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Last year’s handle, i.e. the amount of money wagered, was about $101.7 million on Preakness day, with $47.8 million of that bet on Preakness alone. The handle has surpassed $100 million each of the last three years."

I would imagine that CDI would want to buy the rights to the Preakness as well. They aren't going to do the same deal that the state run group wanted to do. Then they'll close down Pimlico and try to move the race to Churchill Downs.

My comment about CDI wanting to ban Baffert from the Preakness too was, I admit, a tongue in cheek thing, but what you say here does make sense. And it would certainly accomplish my tongue in cheek objective as well. Two birds with one stone!

It's certainly in line with their history. Buy an historic racetrack and then, sooner or later, shut it down. They've already been involved, directly or indirectly, with the demise of three pretty big racetracks in the country (Hollywood, Arlington, and Calder). I think their holdings in Kentucky, outside of Churchill Downs itself, are safe because of the obscene infusion of slots money from historical racing gaming.

I don't really know what the casino/racetrack situation is in Louisiana........is there any reason to be worried about Fairgrounds?

[Cigarillo]

This purchase doesn't make sense. From what I recall, the Preakness is still owned by Stronach and will be leased to Pimlico Racetrack.

What financial sense does this make for Churchill to purchase the track without its signature race being included?

Edit:

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/spor ... HSHUKJNCE/

"The state-run nonprofit will pay Stronach $3 million annually plus 2% of the gross handle on Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan days over the next 10 years, Cross testified during a March 19 hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Last year’s handle, i.e. the amount of money wagered, was about $101.7 million on Preakness day, with $47.8 million of that bet on Preakness alone. The handle has surpassed $100 million each of the last three years."

I would imagine that CDI would want to buy the rights to the Preakness as well. They aren't going to do the same deal that the state run group wanted to do. Then they'll close down Pimlico and try to move the race to Churchill Downs.

My comment about CDI wanting to ban Baffert from the Preakness too was, I admit, a tongue in cheek thing, but what you say here does make sense. And it would certainly accomplish my tongue in cheek objective as well. Two birds with one stone!

It's certainly in line with their history. Buy an historic racetrack and then, sooner or later, shut it down. They've already been involved, directly or indirectly, with the demise of three pretty big racetracks in the country (Hollywood, Arlington, and Calder). I think their holdings in Kentucky, outside of Churchill Downs itself, are safe because of the obscene infusion of slots money from historical racing gaming.

I don't really know what the casino/racetrack situation is in Louisiana........is there any reason to be worried about Fairgrounds?

Churchill owns Fair Grounds and I think they have a casino attached so it's raking it money.

I wouldn't doubt that they buy Pimlico, sell the land, and move the Preakness to Churchill owned Colonial Downs in Virginia. The Arlington and Beverly Stakes were already moved there from the closure of Arlington.

[BaroqueAgain1]

I know Baffert has earned the disdain some here have for him, but....hasn't CDI done more actual, physical damage to the sport? By destroying great tracks like Arlington, Calder and Hollywood, they have cost track workers and trainers their jobs, driven small owners out of the sport, and left thousands of horses without many places to race. How many low level TBs ended up at auction because CDI's greed reduced their opportunities to compete?
If I had to choose a level of Hell for them, CDI would be a few levels lower than Bob.

[Curtis]

I know Baffert has earned the disdain some here have for him, but....hasn't CDI done more actual, physical damage to the sport? By destroying great tracks like Arlington, Calder and Hollywood, they have cost track workers and trainers their jobs, driven small owners out of the sport, and left thousands of horses without many places to race. How many low level TBs ended up at auction because CDI's greed reduced their opportunities to compete?
If I had to choose a level of Hell for them, CDI would be a few levels lower than Bob.

My farrier was over on Monday and we were talking about the Derby and he brought up Muth. We agreed that Baffert is anything but a sympathetic character but all things being in context, the Evil Empire has made the impossible possible and I don’t mean in a good way like that guy that once walked on water. If anybody ever wanted to do a biopic on Hitler or Charlie Manson and are worried about either being too evil and unsympathetic, find a way to work CDI into the story. Presto, Whammo you’ll have a streaming box office smash.

[Flanders]

I would imagine that CDI would want to buy the rights to the Preakness as well. They aren't going to do the same deal that the state run group wanted to do. Then they'll close down Pimlico and try to move the race to Churchill Downs.

My comment about CDI wanting to ban Baffert from the Preakness too was, I admit, a tongue in cheek thing, but what you say here does make sense. And it would certainly accomplish my tongue in cheek objective as well. Two birds with one stone!

It's certainly in line with their history. Buy an historic racetrack and then, sooner or later, shut it down. They've already been involved, directly or indirectly, with the demise of three pretty big racetracks in the country (Hollywood, Arlington, and Calder). I think their holdings in Kentucky, outside of Churchill Downs itself, are safe because of the obscene infusion of slots money from historical racing gaming.

I don't really know what the casino/racetrack situation is in Louisiana........is there any reason to be worried about Fairgrounds?

Churchill owns Fair Grounds and I think they have a casino attached so it's raking it money.

I wouldn't doubt that they buy Pimlico, sell the land, and move the Preakness to Churchill owned Colonial Downs in Virginia. The Arlington and Beverly Stakes were already moved there from the closure of Arlington.

They couldn't move it to Colonial. They barely have enough seats to fulfill Repole's entourages needs. They could try to move all the other races though if they wanted to run Colonial more than they do now.

[Cigarillo]

My comment about CDI wanting to ban Baffert from the Preakness too was, I admit, a tongue in cheek thing, but what you say here does make sense. And it would certainly accomplish my tongue in cheek objective as well. Two birds with one stone!

It's certainly in line with their history. Buy an historic racetrack and then, sooner or later, shut it down. They've already been involved, directly or indirectly, with the demise of three pretty big racetracks in the country (Hollywood, Arlington, and Calder). I think their holdings in Kentucky, outside of Churchill Downs itself, are safe because of the obscene infusion of slots money from historical racing gaming.

I don't really know what the casino/racetrack situation is in Louisiana........is there any reason to be worried about Fairgrounds?

Churchill owns Fair Grounds and I think they have a casino attached so it's raking it money.

I wouldn't doubt that they buy Pimlico, sell the land, and move the Preakness to Churchill owned Colonial Downs in Virginia. The Arlington and Beverly Stakes were already moved there from the closure of Arlington.

They couldn't move it to Colonial. They barely have enough seats to fulfill Repole's entourages needs. They could try to move all the other races though if they wanted to run Colonial more than they do now.

That makes sense. Didn't know Colonial's size and capacity.

[Curtis]

Churchill owns Fair Grounds and I think they have a casino attached so it's raking it money.

I wouldn't doubt that they buy Pimlico, sell the land, and move the Preakness to Churchill owned Colonial Downs in Virginia. The Arlington and Beverly Stakes were already moved there from the closure of Arlington.

They couldn't move it to Colonial. They barely have enough seats to fulfill Repole's entourages needs. They could try to move all the other races though if they wanted to run Colonial more than they do now.

That makes sense. Didn't know Colonial's size and capacity.

Unless Repole takes his horses away from TAP how often will he even have a horse in the Preakness? But seriously, as much of an amateur historian as I am, I think the Triple Crown series just doesn’t work any longer. The Preakness, because of its placement, is the weak link. There isn’t a real good place to move it on the calendar but it ain’t really happening as it now exists. It’s—normally—the Derby winner against new shooters who probably weren’t good enough to run in the Derby or are trained by someone CDI is taking a break from. If the Derby winner doesn’t win it, they usually skip the Belmont because they had two tough races in a 2-week span.

[Flanders]

They couldn't move it to Colonial. They barely have enough seats to fulfill Repole's entourages needs. They could try to move all the other races though if they wanted to run Colonial more than they do now.

That makes sense. Didn't know Colonial's size and capacity.

Unless Repole takes his horses away from TAP how often will he even have a horse in the Preakness? But seriously, as much of an amateur historian as I am, I think the Triple Crown series just doesn’t work any longer. The Preakness, because of its placement, is the weak link. There isn’t a real good place to move it on the calendar but it ain’t really happening as it now exists. It’s—normally—the Derby winner against new shooters who probably weren’t good enough to run in the Derby or are trained by someone CDI is taking a break from. If the Derby winner doesn’t win it, they usually skip the Belmont because they had two tough races in a 2-week span.

This is true, I forgot that Pletcher always skips the Preakness.

[CoronadosQuest]

Do you think CDI wants to buy it because they hate the new series that was created by 1ST?

[Squeaky]

That would be something if Bob can’t run in the Derby or Preakness next year

[CoronadosQuest]

That would be something if Bob can’t run in the Derby or Preakness next year

That would be really petty of them since he wasn't DQed from the Preakness. Targetting one trainer because they are throwing a temper tantrum isn't a good look but I suppose they don't care.

[Tessablue]

There will be no consolidation of the Triple Crown: the bill passed, and the Maryland government will take over Maryland racing. Pimlico will be rebuilt, then Laurel will be closed and all racing will transfer to Pimlico.

Article here: https://www.drf.com/news/bill-transferr ... egislature

[Flanders]

There will be no consolidation of the Triple Crown: the bill passed, and the Maryland government will take over Maryland racing. Pimlico will be rebuilt, then Laurel will be closed and all racing will transfer to Pimlico.

Article here: https://www.drf.com/news/bill-transferr ... egislature

Good, CDI buying it would have been awful for the sport. It'll be some weird Triple Crowns over the next ~5 years, with the Belmont at Saratoga and the Preakness at Laurel.