Demolition Underway at Pimlico Racing Facility

The Pimlico Racing Facility’s redevelopment project began Thursday with the razing of the existing barns and outbuildings in Baltimore, announced the Maryland Stadium Authority.

During the demolition and construction process all racing and training will occur at Laurel Park, including the 151st Preakness Stakes. The 152nd Preakness Stakes is expected to return to Pimlico in 2027.

“Through this multi-year transformational project, the Pimlico Race Course will become a year-round racing facility bringing in economic benefits to the surrounding communities and further elevating Maryland, home of the Preakness Stakes, as a premiere sports tourism destination,” said Craig Thompson, chair of the Maryland Stadium Authority.

In 2024, the Maryland government passed legislation which authorizes the MSA to issue $400 million in bonds to finance, demolish, design and reconstruct the Pimlico Race Course and to build a new training facility at Shamrock Farm in Carroll County. Design of both facilities is led by Ayers Saint Gross/Populous and Clark Construction Group, LLC is tasked with the construction.

As part of the project, MSA will develop an exhibition about the history and significance of Pimlico. The exhibition will use artifacts, oral histories, photographs, salvaged materials and other graphics for display in the new clubhouse and the publicly accessible spaces on the property and its perimeter. Themes highlighted will include the history of thoroughbred racing in Maryland, Pimlico’s role in the history of thoroughbred racing, African American jockeys’ roles in thoroughbred racing and the history and significance of the Preakness.

After the successful completion of the 150th Preakness Stakes in June, the operator and all horses moved out of the facility. Maryland State Archives removed and secured existing artifacts from the property and the MSA and its project partners began securing the Pimlico site.