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Minutes of Public Meeting - August 12, 2026

DATE: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
TIME: 12:30 PM
PLACE: Ocean Downs, Event Center

PRESENT:

  • Chairwoman Nicole Earle
  • Commissioner Tammy Lafferty (Virtual)
  • Commissioner Bobby Lillis
  • Commissioner Kirsten Green (Virtual)
  • Commissioner Ellen Zavian (Virtual)
  • Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Wright (Virtual)
  • Commissioner John Burke
  • Commissioner George Mahoney
  • Commissioner Shawn Wright

COMMISSION STAFF:

  • Executive Director Christopher Merz
  • Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Sigman

ABSENT:

  • None

OTHERS:

  • Doug Illig, The Maryland Jockey Club
  • Bobbi Jones, Ocean Downs
  • Cricket Goodall, Maryland Horse Breeders (Virtual)
  • Damon Knauss, Public (Virtual)
  • April Smith, Friends of Pimlico

In accordance with § 3-302, General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Racing Commission (“Commission” or “MRC”) met in person and by the Google Meet platform in open session at 12:30 p.m. at Ocean Downs. Chairwoman Nicole Earle took a roll call of the Commission members and confirmed there was a quorum. Chairwoman Nicole Earle took a moment of silence for longtime Maryland horse industry stakeholders Bill Reightler, Howard Wolfendale, and Donald Barr. John Burke was introduced as a new Commissioner.

Approval of Minutes of June 10, 2026

The Commission waived a reading of the minutes of its meeting on June 10, 2026. Chairwoman Earle asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Lillis made the motion. Commissioner Mahoney seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Executive Director’s Report

Executive Director Merz began is report updating the Commission about the Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan. He explained the 65 page report is in final edits and is scheduled for a release around September 1. Mr. Merz noted that Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks would brief the Commission on the report at the September meeting.

Mr. Merz concluded his report by saying more COMAR regulations were being worked on and another set of rules for consideration would be given to the Commission at the September meeting.

Maryland Bred Fund Advisory Committee

Executive Director Merz informed the Commission that he has received nominations to be considered for the Maryland Bred Fund Advisory Committee. He noted that terms for this committee were one year. He then announced the Advisory Committee.

John Burke: Commission Representative
Katharine M. Voss: Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Representative
Kent Murray and Christy Holder: Maryland Horse Breeders Association Representatives
Georganne Hale: Mile Track Representative
Richie Blue: Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Representative

Chairwoman Earle thanked everyone for volunteering for this committee and asked for a motion to approve the members. Commissioner Lillis made the motion. Commissioner Mahoney seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Maryland State Fair Race Dates Request:

Executive Director Merz informed the Commission he received a race dates request from the Maryland State Fair. The fair requested seven live racing days from August 28 to August 30 and September 4 to September 7. Racing would be conducted on a Friday-Sunday basis and the request would also grant Timonium permission to simulcast races they find marketable during the course of their racing meet.

Hearing no questions Chairwoman Earle asked for a motion to approve the Maryland State Fair race dates. Commissioner Burke made the motion. Commissioner Lillis seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Maryland Jockey Club Request for Fall Meeting

Executive Director Merz informed the Commission that he received a request from The Maryland Jockey Club for racing dates in the fall. Mr. Merz said the request was for 49 days of live racing and 65 days of simulcast racing from September 8, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Post time for races would be at noon. The meet would be highlighted by Maryland Million Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

Chairwoman Earle asked for a motion to approve The Maryland Jockey Club request for the Laurel Park Fall Meet. Commissioner Lillis made the motion. Commissioner Burke seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Rosecroft Raceway Fall Race Dates Request

Executive Director Merz informed the Commission that he received a request from Rosecroft Raceway for racing dates in the fall. Mr. Merz said the request was for 27 days live racing and 93 days of simulcast racing from September 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Post time for races would be at 7:15 PM. The meet would be highlighted by the Maryland Showcase of Champions on Sunday, October 11 and the Potomac Pace on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Races will be run on Mondays and Thursdays.

Chairwoman Earle asked for a motion to approve Rosecroft Raceway’s request for the Fall Meet. Commissioner Shawn Wright made the motion. Commissioner Burke seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Maryland Bred Fund Update

Executive Director Merz received an update from the Maryland Horse Breeders Association indicating the percentage increase that was approved by the Commission in January is working well and should be maintained for the rest of the year. Mr. Merz reminded the Commission that the breeders bonus was raised from 22.5% to 24%, the Stallion bonus from 7.5% to 8%, and the two-year-old tier system was raised from 31.5% to 33.6%.

Hearing no questions Chairwoman Earle asked for a motion to grant the request to maintain the percentages. Commissioner Lillis made the motion. Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Wright seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Ocean Downs Update

Bobbi Jones gave the update for Ocean Downs. She reported a strong season so far, with handle up 14%, which is $1 million over 2025 at this point in their meet. She was proud to say that 74% of entered horses were Maryland-bred. She stated that typically their best handle days were Sundays, but that had changed this meet to Wednesdays. She credited their marketing promotion of “Dollar Natty and Hot Dog” nights on Wednesdays as the primary contributor to that. She thanked her marketing team and staff for the great job they have been doing. To conclude her update, a video was played highlighting all their marketing events and scenes from the racing season.

The Maryland Jockey Club Update

Doug Illig gave the Commission an update for The Maryland Jockey Club. Mr. Illig confirmed the Maryland Stadium Authority purchase of Laurel Park to be a training center in early July. He said they have signed a media agreement with NBC for the next six years and confirmed the running of the Preakness Stakes will now be held on the fourth Sunday of May. The Preakness will fall on Memorial Weekend four out the six years of the contract.

Equine Medical Director Report

Executive Director Merz gave the update. He reported that there was one racing related fatality at Ocean Downs in September. A necropsy was being done, and an update would be given to the Commission in September.

Public Comment

April Smith, Friends of Pimlico, read from a prepared statement. The statement applauded the Maryland Jockey Club for their appearances on local news stations to discuss the Preakness. She went on to criticize potential commercial development of the parcels surrounding Pimlico arguing that the entrance should be “Show Stopping.”

Damon Knaus, Colonel US Army, suggested Maryland should move the Preakness to April and become the first leg of the Triple Crown. He suggested it was time to change the narrative, and Maryland was in control of its own destiny. He finished his statement by saying that Pimlico should consider putting lights in for nighttime racing to better attract families and younger working-age fans.

Cricket Goodall, Maryland Horse Breeders Association, announced the members of the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame and that the yearling sale would be on October 27, 2026. She concluded her statement by saying Horse Land would be at the fair on September 4, 2026.

Commissioner Bobby Lillis stated that the Preakness will be successful and not to be so gloomy about it.

Chairwoman Earle asked for a motion to conclude the meeting. Commissioner Burke made the motion. Commissioner Lillis seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The meeting came to an end at 1:08 PM.

s/Nicole Earle/s