Readers Split on Pimlico Racetrack Renovation

Marylanders debate the $400 million overhaul of the historic Preakness Stakes venue.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting the motion and energy of a horse race, conveying the tradition and transformation of the Preakness Stakes.A cubist reimagining of the historic Preakness Stakes horse race captures the event's enduring spirit amid a changing industry.Baltimore Today

The Baltimore Sun asked readers whether the $400 million renovation of Pimlico Race Course, the usual site of the Preakness Stakes, was a good idea for Maryland. The poll results showed a divide, with 50.5% in favor, 33.3% opposed, and 16.2% undecided. Readers shared a range of perspectives on the project, from seeing it as an investment in community tradition to questioning whether horse racing's decline makes the costly upgrade a waste of resources.

Why it matters

Pimlico Race Course has hosted the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, since 1873. The track's renovation is a high-stakes decision for Maryland's horse racing industry, which has faced declining interest and participation in recent decades as gambling options have expanded nationwide.

The details

The $400 million renovation project will overhaul the aging Pimlico facility ahead of this year's Preakness, which is being held at the Laurel Park track while construction is underway. Supporters see the investment as a way to revitalize the historic event and the surrounding community, while critics argue the money could have been better spent on more cost-effective repairs or alternative uses for the land.

  • The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park while Pimlico undergoes renovations.
  • Pimlico Race Course has hosted the Preakness Stakes since 1873.

The players

Pimlico Race Course

The historic racetrack that has hosted the Preakness Stakes since 1873.

Laurel Park

The alternate venue hosting the 2026 Preakness Stakes while Pimlico is under renovation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's an investment in a community event that is part of the city's culture. If it is managed for the realities of the 21st Century, it can be self-sustaining.”

— RM Zweig

“The facility was in much need of repairs. They could have fixed the old structure for roughly a third of the cost, and the result would have been a really nice clubhouse. Considering the history of Pimlico, I would have liked to have seen them leave the old structure intact but made some necessary repairs.”

— Colton Comstock

“There will be long-term fans who think a change to Pimlico is bad and remember the way it used to be. I went for the first time two years ago, and it felt like a time machine had pulled me back to … someplace stuck in time.”

— Dorothy Baker

What’s next

The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park while the $400 million renovation of Pimlico Race Course is completed.

The takeaway

The debate over the Pimlico renovation highlights the challenges facing Maryland's horse racing industry, which must balance preserving tradition with adapting to modern realities. The costly project's ultimate success will depend on whether it can revitalize interest and participation in the Preakness and thoroughbred racing more broadly.