FAIR HILL, Md.--After six long years, horses have finally been allowed to train over the Fair Hill turf track, and there was even one day when four horses schooled over fences there.
Fair Hill turf course But there is still no official word on whether a race meet will be held at Fair Hill late this summer on Aug. 30.
"I'm doing everything in my power to encourage the state to hold races at Fair Hill on Aug. 30, but the final call is up to the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources," said George P. Mahoney, Jr., Chairman of the Maryland Racing Commission."Racing would be not only for steeplechase but flat races as well. It's been six years, and Maryland taxpayers deserve to have Fair Hill used."
The Horse has called Trish Brown at the Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources for three days and has texted her as well, asking her, if she doesn't want to call back, to at least text back when a decision will be made as to if or when races might be held at Fair Hill.
So far, there has been no response.
"WE'VE BEEN galloping on the turf track for two weeks," said Graham Motion, a multiple stakes winning trainer who is stabled at and trains out of the Fair Hill Training Center, which is across the street from the turf track that is a part of the Fair Hill Race Track.
The Maryland Five Star Event is held in the center of the race track with the cross country course laid out throughout the surrounding countryside.
"We've been able to work horses there, weather permitting," said Motion. "The turf is brilliant. It's one of the best turf courses I've ever been on. Each session we've been there, there have been 20 to 25 horses. I breezed a couple there last Friday. This is a huge step forward for us."
"We set up national fences, and there was steeplechase schooling there last week," said Bill Gallo, National Steeplechase Association Director of Racing. "The turf seemed okay."
"The turf was beautiful," said Kathy Neilson, a top steeplechase trainer who had two of the four horses that schooled over fences at Fair Hill. "The root system seemed pretty deep. The turf was spongy and smooth. My riders were happy with ii. I can't wait until they race there."
