Pimlico Race Course Demolition Set To Begin Thursday

After more than 150 years, the storied walls of Pimlico Race Course are coming down.

Demolition of the historic Baltimore track, home to the Preakness Stakes since 1873, is set to begin Thursday, marking a major step toward the site’s long-awaited redevelopment. The move signals the end of “Old Hilltop” and the beginning of a bold transformation that state leaders hope will reinvigorate Maryland’s horse racing industry.

While treasured artifacts and furniture from Pimlico have already been preserved or auctioned off, the real work of rebuilding starts now. Excavators will begin razing barns and outbuildings along Winner Avenue, though no explosives will be used, according to the Maryland Stadium Authority.

The racecourse, which opened in 1870, has long been in need of upgrades, but previous revitalization efforts repeatedly stalled. That changed when the state acquired Pimlico from The Stronach Group, the Canadian-based owner since the early 2000s. Now, a newly created nonprofit — operating under the historic name Maryland Jockey Club — oversees the track and will manage the Preakness beginning in 2027.

As part of the deal, the nonprofit will pay The Stronach Group about $5 million annually for the rights to the second jewel of the Triple Crown. In total, the state is committing roughly $500 million in funding, a mix of bonds and cash, to build a new Pimlico facility and a separate training center in Carroll County.

Construction is being led by Clark Construction Group, with design work from Ayers Saint Gross and Populous. The goal is for the new track to be ready in time for the 2027 Preakness.

The Maryland Stadium Authority took control of the project earlier this year, following the dissolution of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. Officials say the timeline for completion is aggressive — and possibly the most complex project the stadium authority has tackled in its 40-year history.

Immediately after this year’s Preakness, held on May 17, archivists worked to preserve the course’s most significant historical items. Other mementos, like grandstand seats and press box typewriters, were sold at auction.

Looking ahead, the stadium authority plans to create an on-site exhibit dedicated to Pimlico’s legacy, featuring salvaged materials, photographs, oral histories, and other memorabilia from the track’s iconic past.

While next year’s Preakness will be held at Laurel Park, state officials say the race is “expected to return” to the newly rebuilt Pimlico in 2027.