Press Release: Rosecroft To Apply For 2015 Race Dates

Posted on September 9, 2014

Contact:
Christopher McErlean
Vice President – Racing
Penn National Gaming, Inc.
Christopher.mcerlean@pngaming.com717-469-3313

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ort Washington, MD—September 10, 2014)  Rosecroft Raceway announced today that the track will continue live racing operations and will be applying for 2015 race dates.  Rosecroft is about to start the track’s 27-night Summer-Fall meet on September 13th.

“We will applying for the same number of dates (54) for live racing at Rosecroft in 2015 under the same terms, conditions and preferences that we operated our live race  meet this year,” stated Chris McErlean, Vice President-Racing, Penn National Gaming.

“While we are disapointed that Rosecroft was not selected as the gaming destination for Prince George’s County, Penn National Gaming remains committed to Maryland, Rosecroft and of course our Maryland Horsemen. We are working with the Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association and the Maryland Standardbred Breeders Association to find ways to ensure a long term future for Maryland racing at Rosecroft.  We understand the value Rosecroft provides for our horsemen, track employees, and the Prince George’s community,” said McErlean.

Since reemerging from bankruptcy in 2011 under the direction of Penn National Gaming, Rosecroft Raceway has provided an economic kick start to Prince George’s County and the Maryland Standardbred industry.

Since reopening in the fall of 2011 the focus at Rosecroft has been on directing racing opportunities and increasing purses towards Maryland horses and horsemen.  Penn National Gaming has established a preference system benefitting Maryland horsemen racing at Rosecroft that provides for maximum opportunity for Maryland connected horses.   Horses with a Maryland connection now enjoy a 100% entry preference at Rosecroft Raceway—a first in the industry and the only racetrack in Maryland to offer such consideration to Maryland’s horsemen.   This current race meet over 80% of the purses earned have been directed to horses and horsemen under this Maryland preference system.

“We felt it was in the horsemen’s best interest to announce our intentions for next year early so they can make their racing plans and have some stability for next year. We are looking forward to working with CSOA to develop a long term strategy for Rosecroft,” McErlean concluded.    Formal submission of the 2015 racing dates will be submitted to the Maryland Racing Commission in early October.

Rosecroft will kick off the meet with a special “Back to the Track” promotion on Saturday, September 13 and will continue every Tuesday and Saturday evening through December 13.     Post time is 6:40 p.m.   The condition sheet for the first two nights of racing are now posted at www.rosecroft.com.