Timonium Racecourse
Timonium Racecourse is a thoroughbred racing track in Timonium, Maryland. A short meet of about eight days is usually held at the track in conjunction with the Maryland State Fair.
Timonium Racecourse has a 5/8 mile oval dirt track. It has an expansive grandstand that overlooks the track infield, and has an open air seating capacity of 5,000.
Big stakes events are held at Timonium Racecourse during the State Fair days. Among the ones that have been held are:
- Alma North Handicap
- Taking Risk Stakes
- Bobby Hale Stakes
- Linkage Stakes
- Winning Colors Stakes
Timonium Racecourse Records - Dirt Course
| Distance | Horse | Age | Weight | Time | Date |
| 4 Furlongs | Ameri Brilliance | 4 | 121 lbs | :43.76 | August 23, 2003 |
| 6 1/2 Furlongs | Willard Scott | 3 | 112 lbs | 1:15.40 | July 30, 1984 |
| About 6 1/2 Furlongs | Dontcloseyoureyes | 5 | 119 lbs | 1:15.03 | August 25, 1991 |
| 1 Mile | Count Off | 8 | 113 lbs | 1:36.80 | August 26, 1981 |
| 1 Mile & 70 Yards | One More Snooze | 4 | 117 lbs | 1:42.00 | August 31, 1984 |
| 1 1/16 Miles | Valley Command | 4 | 117 lbs | 1:42.20 | August 28, 1990 |
| 1 1/8 Miles | Count Disco | 4 | 114 lbs | 1:49.20 | July 30, 1983 |
History of Timonium Racecourse
1879 - In June, a group of Maryland businessmen incorporated as the Baltimore County Agricultural Association to establish a State Fair. The corporation leased a 37-acre plot of land on the York Turnpike on what was then known as the “Timonium Estate". The first Fair was held in Timonium Racecourse that year from September 7 to 12.
1887 - Thoroughbred racing was first held at Timonium Racecourse during the State Fair.
1890s - The Baltimore County Agricultural Association faced stiff competition from the Pimlico Fair, also referred to as the State Fair, which was operated by the Maryland Jockey Club. The two groups held joint fairs in 1894 and 1897.
Early 1900s - The Maryland Jockey Club eventually gained control of the Timonium Racecourse Fair and both groups incorporated as The Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society. Their annual fair became known as The Maryland State Fair. Races were held at the Timonium Racecourse and results were forwarded to interested horsemen at Baltimore and Alexandria, VA, by way of carrier pigeon.
1918 - During the 1918 Fair, the first air mail delivery in the United States was made at the Timonium Fairgrounds.
1943 - The Fair was interrupted because of the war effort. The fairgrounds were leased to the U.S. Army for use as a storage depot and vehicle repair center.
1950s - The Maryland Jockey Club agreed to sell the fairgrounds to business interests who wanted to purchase the site for industrial development. A group of agriculturists, business leaders, horsemen and bankers formed the "Save the Maryland State Fair Committee" which raised over $600,000 to purchase the fairgrounds, thus ensuring that the Maryland State Fair at Timonium would continue to be Maryland's premiere event at the end of each summer.
1970s - The Maryland Racing Industry took steps to have the Fair's thoroughbred horseracing dates transferred from Timonium Racecourse to other Maryland tracks. However, directors of the Fair recognized that such a move would threaten the survival of the Fair. The Committee of Friends of the Maryland State Fair successfully convinced the public and the Maryland Legislature of the value in keeping thoroughbred racing a part of the Fair.
1980s to 1990s - The Fair continued to flourish as facilities were expanded and modernized allowing for more and better exhibits and competitions.
1999 - To accommodate growing crowds and an ever-expanding lineup of exhibits, competitions, and entertainment, the traditional run of the Maryland State Fair was officially extended from 10 days to 11 days.
2016 - The Maryland Jockey Club partnered with the Fairgrounds to open a fully renovated, state-of-the-art Off-Track Betting (OTB) Center on the second floor of Timonium's historic grandstand. It quickly grew into the top-performing OTB facility in the state, generating millions of dollars for the Maryland racing industry.
2018 - The Fair expanded again to a 12-day event. Simultaneously, a series of campus beautification projects began, including replacing old chain-link boundaries with wrought-iron fencing and executing a major expansion and renovation of the Timonium Racetrack Paddock.
2020 - Looking toward modern entertainment avenues, the Maryland State Fairgrounds proactively sought and received approval from neighboring communities to introduce sports wagering on-site, pairing with its highly successful simulcast operations.
2021 - Following pandemic-era disruptions, the Maryland State Fair and its annual thoroughbred race meet returned in full swing for its 140th year, bringing back the Midway, agricultural barns, and live racing crowds to full capacity.
2022 - In a major structural change to the schedule, the Fair moved away from a single block of consecutive days. It transitioned to a multi-weekend format spread across three consecutive weekends, optimizing attendance and giving horsemen and fairgoers more flexibility.