The Maryland racing dates were out, with changes galore. Laurel -- making its bow under the management of the Morris Schapiro family -- would kick off the 1951 season in March.
Bowie, placed in receivership following a shake-up within the corporate structure, had a total of 25 days -- 12 in the spring and 13 in late November following Pimlico's fall meet. Bowie would operate under court-appointed receiver M. Hampton Magruder, president of the track years earlier. Magruder would be assisted by former Laurel president Major Goss L. Stryker and James P. Ross, former Havre de Grace superintendent, the latter named general manager.
Pimlico also had a new president as Maj. Gen. Milton A. Reckord, formerly in the same position at Havre de Grace, was the new chief, succeeding Henry A. Parr III after his resignation in February. Janon Fisher Jr., former president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, secretary the American Trainers' Association and longtime Maryland breeder-owner-trainer, was elected vice president and treasurer.
Pimlico and Laurel absorbed the 25 days conducted at Havre de Grace, which had been sold to Laurel and Pimlico.
The mile tracks would run 100 days -- 55 from March 23 through May 26, and 45 from Oct. 10 through Dec. 1. The half-mile tracks -- Cumberland, Hagerstown, Bel Air, Timonium and Marlboro -- filled the summer, July 17 through Sept. 22.
A special train service for Laurel's 24-day spring meet was announced by
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which ran directly through the track property. On weekdays, except Wednesday, the train from Philadelphia would consist of a diner, a coffee shop car and eight coaches. Wednesdays, the coaches would be increased to 10 and on Saturdays to 11.
n The purse for the Diamond Jubilee Preakness Stakes was increased from $50,000 to $75,000. And a new race, the Black-Eyed Susan, was added to the stakes schedule. The filly counterpart of the Preakness would be run the week before the classic and in place of the Pimlico Oaks, last run in 1949. The Black-Eyed Susan carried a $10,000 purse and would be contested at the same 13⁄16 miles as the Preakness.
Louis McLean Merryman, chairman of the Maryland State Fair's bond sales committee, put out an open letter seeking supporters in the non-profit corporation. Bonds cost $500, plus $5 for one share of stock. Approximately $125,000 was needed to eliminate a bank loan. "It is a sound investment which will not only benefit the agricultural industry but will also benefit you personally," Merryman wrote. "Over 450 Maryland farmers and agriculturally minded people have [to date] subscribed."
n Veteran sire Peace Chance, standing as the property of Holly Beach Farm and Danny Shea at Merryland Farm in
Hydes, Md., appeared on the cover. The 1934 Belmont Stakes winner was among the nation's leading sires in the 1940s, and one of a half-dozen Maryland sires with offspring nominated to the 1951 Kentucky Derby.
n Renowned Maryland steeplechaser Billy Barton died in his sleep at age 33 in his stall at his longtime home, Belmont Farm, in Elkridge, where he was buried. Howard Bruce's irascible gelding used his jumping form to advantage in just about every major event on this side of the Atlantic, and finished a gallant second to Tipperary Tim in the 1928 Grand National at Aintree in England.
A statue of Billy Barton has stood outside Laurel Park's clubhouse entrance since 1952.
