{"id":102674,"date":"2019-04-12T09:08:51","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T16:08:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=102674"},"modified":"2019-04-13T13:11:52","modified_gmt":"2019-04-13T20:11:52","slug":"pimlico-owner-rips-baltimore-leaders-for-nixing-laurel-preakness-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/pimlico-owner-rips-baltimore-leaders-for-nixing-laurel-preakness-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Pimlico Owner Rips Baltimore Leaders for Nixing Laurel, Preakness Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"
UPDATE: The Stronach Group announced Saturday it will close nearly 7,000 seats for Pimlico’s upcoming meet.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the company said it hired an independent engineering firm to study the structure. That study indicated the northern grandstand, the oldest part of the historic track, cannot safely hold the weight.<\/p>\n
The 12-day meet starts on May 10. The Preakness Stakes will run on May 18.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is deeply disappointing for us and the affected ticket-holders that at a peak moment in time when we generate the most amount of income for the industry, for our company and for all stakeholders, and when we are poised to welcome racing fans to Preakness, we have to de-commission 6,670 seats,\u201d said Bill Hecht, The Stronach Group’s CEO for U.S. Real Estate in a statement. \u201cAs the safety and security is paramount to our guests and employees, this position to forego income should in no way be interpreted as anything other than that.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Patrons who purchased Preakness tickets in that section will be able to trade their tickets for “similar seating” the company said. Exchanges will be made through May 1.<\/p>\n The Stronach Group, owners of both Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park in Maryland, slammed Baltimore leaders this week after they helped scuttle plans to renovate Laurel and eventually move the Preakness Stakes to that track.<\/p>\nFrom Friday<\/h2>\n