Horse Racing Odds: Laurel Park 2025 Race Schedule

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Laurel Park Unveils Winter-Spring Meet Stakes Schedule

The Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) has announced the stakes lineup for Laurel Park’s 2025 winter-spring meet. The meet will feature 25 stakes races with over $2.6 million in purses. 

This meeting marks the first under TMJC, a new nonprofit entity established by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA). Starting January 1, TMJC will take control of daily racing operations in Maryland and set the stage for an exciting racing season with boosted purses and revamped stakes.

A Boost for Preakness Preview Day

A centerpiece of the meet is “Preakness Preview Day” on April 19, which offers fans and bettors a great preview of Triple Crown contenders. 

The Federico Tesio Stakes and Weber City Miss Stakes, now worth $150,000 after purse increases of $25,000, serve as the headline events. The Federico Tesio grants its winner a berth in the Preakness Stakes on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, while the Weber City Miss offers an automatic entry to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 16.

This enhanced stakes day reflects TMJC’s focus on elevating the Maryland racing experience. It provides a unique opportunity for offtrack betting enthusiasts to engage with future sports stars. These stakes are critical stepping stones for 3-year-olds aiming to compete on racing’s biggest stages.

Key Stakes to Watch

The stakes action begins on January 18 with the $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes for older sprinters and the $100,000 What a Summer Stakes for older fillies and mares. The meet’s stakes schedule continues to heat up on February 15 with the General George Stakes (G3) and Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3), each offering $200,000 purses for seven-furlong contests.

Last year, the Maryland-bred Post Time won the General George and went on to a standout season, highlighted by victories in the Carter Stakes (G2) and grade 1 placings at prestigious tracks like Saratoga Race Course and Del Mar. Meanwhile, Barbara Fritchie has a storied history dating back to 1952 and has been won by Hall of Fame legends such as Xtra Heat.

For those focused on Saratoga betting trends and beyond, these mid-winter stakes offer valuable insights into horses capable of competing at the highest levels later in the year.

A Gradual Path for 3-Year-Olds

Laurel Park’s stakes series for 3-year-old males allows young horses to develop and stretch out in the distance. The series begins with the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes at seven furlongs on January 25, followed by the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes at a one-turn mile on February 22. The stakes increase in distance with the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 22, culminating in the 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio on April 19.

The progression of these races builds anticipation and provides horseplayers with valuable data for evaluating horse racing odds leading up to the Triple Crown season.

New Era for Maryland Racing

The winter meet at Laurel begins January 17 and runs through March 30, with live racing held Fridays through Sundays. The spring meet follows from April 4 to May 4, continuing with the same schedule, except for Easter Sunday on April 20. All racing days will start at 12:25 p.m. ET.

Bill Knauf, president and general manager of TMJC, emphasized the significance of this stakes schedule, noting the historical importance of the General George and Barbara Fritchie Stakes. He also highlighted the importance of “Preakness Preview Day” as a showcase event for promising 3-year-olds.

For bettors eager to explore offtrack betting opportunities or follow emerging contenders, Laurel’s winter-spring meet provides a wealth of races that set the stage for the heart of the racing calendar.