Hosts 120 Days of Live Racing
Winter Meet Begins Friday, January 9
Preakness Stakes at Laurel on Saturday, May 16

LAUREL, MD—The Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park received approval from the Maryland Racing Commission to conduct 120 days of live racing in 2026.

The Laurel Park Winter Meet begins on Friday, January 9, and runs through Sunday, March 29.

In January, Laurel Park will offer live racing on Fridays and Saturdays. A Friday through Sunday live racing schedule begins in February and runs through the end of the Winter Meet.

Here are some of the highlights of the Laurel Park Winter Meet:

*Saturday, January 31: Laurel’s 3-year-old stakes schedule kicks off with the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for colts and geldings at seven furlongs, and the $100,000 Xtra Heat for fillies at six furlongs

*Saturday, February 14: The Valentine’s Day Card features four stakes races. Among them are the $200,000 General George for older sprinters at seven furlongs and the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie for fillies and mares, also at seven-eighths of a mile.

Also on February 14, Laurel Park will host the “February First Chance Last Chance” Handicapping Tournament.

The “February First Chance Last Chance” Handicapping Tournament features a $500 Buy-In ($250 Entry + $250 Bankroll)

Top Prizes (based on 120 entries) include a full seat to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (a $10,000 Value), and two National Handicapping Championship (NHC) Prize Packs (a $5,350 value that includes flight vouchers and hotel).

This is a last chance to qualify for the 2026 NHC. The 2026 NHC will be held at Caesars Horseshoe Las Vegas from March 13 to March 15.

If you have already qualified for the 2026 NHC, you will play for a seat in the 2027 NHC.

Click here for additional details.

*Saturday, February 21: The local road to the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan continues as 3-year-old colts race one mile in the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes while the fillies travel seven furlongs in the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes.

*Saturday, March 21: Sophomores again take center stage in the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, and the $100,000 Beyond the Wire Stakes for fillies at one mile.

With the construction at Pimlico in full swing, Laurel Park is proud to host the 151st edition of the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, the second jewel in racing’s Triple Crown, on Saturday, May 16.

As in 2025, Laurel Park will take a summer hiatus in July and August, returning for live racing in September, following the conclusion of the Maryland State Fair meeting at Timonium.