![]() Two new cinema theaters were added, one on the clubhouse second level and the other on the grandstand mezzanine. In 1987, another $1 million was allocated to improvements, which centered on beautifying and modernizing the second floor of the clubhouse. The “Ruffian Room,” located on the mezzanine level, is reserved for special events, and the “Sky Suite Club,” for members, have also been completely redesigned in a most elegant fashion, making them among the finest at any racetrack in America. Three dining rooms were also part of the improvements, including the first floor “Silks Room” with its mahogany panelling and stained glass windows, where light fare is offered. The club bar and concession stands were enhanced with black marble, brass and neon accents. The first floor of the clubhouse was totally renovated. In 1986, another $1 million was spent on additional improvements. The concept of the Sports Palace has been widely copied by other tracks. The glittering $2 million facility was a bold innovation that combines the ambience of a plush casino with state-of-the-art technology which featured computerized handicapping and a video racing library. It was the first of its kind in the horse racing world. De Francis and his partners, Robert and John “Tommy” Manfuso, purchased the racetrack from Schapiro.Īn innovative Laurel project was the creation of the Sports Palace in 1985. Laurel entered a new era in December 1984, when Frank J. In 1984, the 34-year Schapiro era ended with the sale of the track. Conversely, when Laurel was awarded the summer racing dates in 1982, the track installed an air conditioning system in the grandstand and clubhouse. Laurel remodeled its clubhouse and grandstand to accommodate winter racing in 1966, enclosing the track’s seating area with 30,000 square feet of half inch thick glass. In an effort to improve conditions for the International, Laurel lengthened its turf course from seven furlongs to one mile in 1959 simultaneously, the main track was extended from one mile to one mile and one-eighth. In 1953 Laurel opened a new clubhouse and turf club, and in 1957 the grandstand was remodeled. The race went on to become an important fixture on United States and foreign racing calendars before being placed on hiatus in 1995. England’s Wilwyn rallied from off the pace to win in the inaugural running of the International in 1952. International, a race designed to bring together the world’s best at one mile and one-half on the grass. He changed the track’s name to Laurel Race Course and introduced the Washington, D.C. Schapiro began revitalizing Laurel soon thereafter. Laurel was sold to the Schapiros in 1950. However, when the plan was not approved by the Maryland Legislature, the Maryland Jockey Club decided to sell the track to Baltimore industrialist Morris Schapiro, who appointed his youngest son John David Schapiro as the track’s new president. In 1947, the Maryland Jockey Club, owners of Pimlico and Timonium at the time, purchased Laurel from the Butler estate with the idea of shifting the Pimlico meeting to Laurel. ![]() Then, on October 26, 1923, two-year-olds met again in a match race when Sarazin defeated Happy Thoughts at six furlongs. McClelland donated his purse money to the Red Cross. Eternal edged Billy Kelly by a head, and winning owner J. The next year, top two-year-olds Billy Kelly and Eternal met in a six-furlong match race at Laurel, vying for a $20,000 pot. When the two horses met in the Brooklyn Derby earlier that year, Omar Khayyam prevailed by a nose, but in the Laurel match race Hourless rallied to win by a length in a time of 2:02. ![]() Hourless had won the 1917 Belmont Stakes and Omar Khayyam had accounted for the Kentucky Derby that year. Omar Khayyam at one mile and one-quarter on October 18, 1917. Under Butler’s stewardship, Laurel hosted three match races, beginning with Hourless vs. Winn is recognized as the man who put the Kentucky Derby on the racing map. Matt Winn as the track’s general manager. Three years later, in 1914, New York City grocery entrepreneur James Butler purchased the track, installing renowned promotions king Col. Its first meeting was held under the direction of the Laurel Four County Fair. ![]() ![]() Laurel Park first appeared on the racing scene on October 2, 1911. ![]()
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