Laurel Park gets approval for 2026 live racing schedule

The Maryland Racing Commission approved a 120-day live racing schedule for Laurel Park in 2026, clearing the way for a winter meet that began Friday, January 9 and runs through Sunday, March 29. The approval, granted to the Maryland Jockey Club at Laurel Park, establishes a predictable calendar for trainers, jockeys, stable workers and local businesses that rely on racing season activity.

Laurel Park's winter slate opens with a limited January schedule offering live racing on Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning in February and continuing through the conclusion of the Winter Meet, the track expands to a Friday through Sunday racing rhythm aimed at increasing weekend attendance and wagering opportunities. The track's published calendar and highlights for the 2026 season include stakes dates and other marquee events to help fans and participants plan travel, stabling and race-day staffing.

A major highlight of the Winter Meet falls on Saturday, January 31, when Laurel Park will host two six-figure stakes. The program features the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for colts and geldings at seven furlongs and the $100,000 Xtra Heat for fillies at six furlongs. Those races anchor a card that will draw regional trainers and owners and provide elevated purses for participants during the traditionally slower winter months.

For Prince George's County, the approved schedule carries local implications beyond the track. A stable weekend racing calendar supports employment for backstretch workers, simulcast and on-track wagering operations, and ancillary spending at nearby restaurants, hotels and service providers in Laurel and surrounding communities. Consistent scheduling also aids county agencies that coordinate special event services such as traffic management and public safety on high-attendance weekends.

The Maryland Racing Commission's approval underscores the regulatory role state authorities play in setting the racing season and ensuring events align with licensing, wagering and safety standards. For the Maryland Jockey Club and stakeholders at Laurel Park, the certainty of a 120-day schedule offers a planning horizon for purse structures, promotional efforts and partnerships with local businesses.

Readers and racing participants should note the January 31 stakes dates and the shift to three-day weekends in February as they make plans for attendance, travel and stable operations. The approved calendar provides a clear framework for the coming months and sets expectations for how live racing will contribute to local economic and community activity through late March.