New Maryland and Virginia State Bred Stakes Schedule

It’s now news, that from June 2025 to March 2026 stakes races in Maryland and Virginia will be for both Maryland-bred or sired, and Virginia-bred or sired horses.

“It’s an added bonus for Maryland,” said Katherine Voss, President of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen Assoc. “with eight of these state restricted stakes increasing from $75,000 to $100,000.”

“A pair of late-season 2yo events, the Maryland Juvenile and Maryland Juvenile Fillies, will be worth $125,000, up from $100,000, with six of the 16 races on turf, include two 2yo’s at Colonial Downs.”

“With Laurel Park being dark in July and August, we had some stakes but no place to squeeze them in, and now Colonial Downs is thrilled merging Virginia-bred races with our Maryland-bred races.”

A key aspect of the schedule is that Colonial Downs will offer 47 programs over 12 weeks, in July and August, while the annual Maryland-bred stakes program is valued at the usual total of $1.05 million.

Now combined with $750,000 from the six Colonial Downs stakes to create an overall $1.8 million restricted stakes program, its Colonial Downs who’s providing $750,000 in purse money for its stakes.

Katherine Voss noted that Maryland has about four times more 2yo and 3yo state-bred horses as Virginia, so there’ll be another eight stakes, two on four days, in December 2025, January, March 2026.

“It all seemed to make sense,” said Katherine Voss “as speaking to Boyd Browning of Fasig-Tipton, he said it’s important for parties to develop regional programs to combat the rapid growth of Kentucky.”

The first two stakes races at Laurel Park for the summer are the Jameela Stakes and Ben’s Cat Stakes over 6 furlongs for 3yo & Upwards and $100,000 on 15 June with the Ben’s Cat for fillies and mares.

The Miss Disco Stakes of $125,000 for 3yo fillies over 7f on dirt transfers from Laurel Park to Colonial Downs on 14 July, the same as the Star of Naskra Stakes of $125,000 for 3yo over 7f also run on dirt.

Also now at Colonial Downs on Saturday 16 August is the Find Stakes of $125,000 for 3yo & up, over 1m½f on turf, along with All Brandy Stakes of $125,000 for fillies and mares 3yo & up of 1m½f on turf.

In addition, two 2yo stakes races will now be run at Colonial Downs on 23 August, with the Jamestown Stakes and Dolly Madison Stakes for fillies, both run over 5.5 furlongs on turf, and worth $125,000.

Additional news is a new $600,000 Owner and Developer Bonus Program supporting Maryland-bred horses at Colonial Downs and Delaware Park during Maryland’s live racing break of 4 July to 17 August.

Based on a bonus payments points system, it’s tied to race conditions at Colonial Downs and Delaware, with $1.2m available for Maryland-bred horses during seven weeks of downtime during the summer.

“This program underscores our commitment to Maryland’s horsemen and breeders by providing financial support during the summer racing break,” said Bill Knauf, The Maryland Jockey Club President.

“By rewarding Maryland-bred runners at Colonial Downs and Delaware, we’re ensuring that these horses remain competitive and continue to thrive in strengthening Maryland’s industry for the future.”

Also from Maryland, The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority will dissolve on 1 July, with The Maryland Jockey Club taking control of racetracks from 1/ST Racing, The Stronach Group.

‘The Pimlico Plus Plan remains fully on track under the MSA,’ said the MTHA on 5 April, ‘and look forward to working closely with MEDCO, and our partnership with TMJC as the industry transitions to a new, state-of-the-art Pimlico facility and a world-class training centre at Shamrock Farm.’