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State of Maryland Completes Acquisition of IP Rights to Preakness, Black Eyed Susan

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Edited Press Release

In a press release shared July 31, the office of the Governor of the State of Maryland revealed that it has completed its acquisition of the Intellectual Property (IP) Rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black Eyed Susan from 1/ST Racing.

Governor Wes Moore notified the racing entity June 18 that the state would be exercising its right of first refusal to match the $85-million offer made by Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) to acquire the IP rights. The Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) issued notes to finance the acquisition. No General Fund tax dollars were expended to acquire the rights.

“The Preakness Stakes is a cornerstone of Maryland’s history, culture, and economy–so our administration is dedicated to preserving our state as a key power player in the Triple Crown for generations to come,” said Gov. Moore. “With this final acquisition we are not only leveraging the Preakness’s iconic status and uplifting our horse racing industry, we are revitalizing the communities that directly benefit from the economic opportunities of the race.”

Through the acquisition, the State of Maryland secured ownership of the valuable IP rights, ensuring that the Preakness will call Baltimore and Maryland home well into the future and the State will remain in firm control of Maryland’s multi-billion-dollar equine industry. The State of Maryland now possesses sole ownership of the vital assets that drive its horseracing sector–with Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park under control of the Maryland Stadium Authority and day-to-day horseracing being overseen by The Maryland Jockey Club, a not-for-profit organization established by state law.

By owning the IP, the State will no longer be subject to the disadvantageous fee structure of the existing exclusive licensing agreement, which would have escalated costs for the State over time. Instead, the State will operate under a model that prioritizes industry health and community benefit, consistent with the nonprofit model adopted by the Maryland Jockey Club.

To read the release in its entirety, please go here.

The post State of Maryland Completes Acquisition of IP Rights to Preakness, Black Eyed Susan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jackie’s Warrior’s Wood Island Sharp on Debut in Off the Turfer at the Spa

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Saratoga Maidens, Presented by Keeneland

Wood Island (Jackie’s Warrior) shot out to the front and never looked back facing just three rivals — including a pair by his same freshman sire — in this rained-off debut at the Spa Friday.

Off as the 2-5 favorite, Wood Island broke like a shot from his rail draw and showed the way through an easy opening quarter in :23.10. He raced in hand approaching the quarter pole and was hand ridden down the lane by Irad Ortiz, Jr. to become the second winner for his first-crop sire (by Maclean’s Music). Jackpot Jackie (Jackie’s Warrior) came running late to cut the margin to 1 1/2 lengths and complete the Jackie’s Warrior exacta.

Without Hesitation (Jackie’s Warrior), a $2.3-million OBS April breezer, was scratched by trainer Wesley Ward. She was re-entered in a maiden special weight turf sprint versus fillies at the Spa on Wednesday.

“Yesterday I was committed to scratching, I had no interest in running him on the dirt,” winning trainer George Weaver said in the winner’s circle on Saratoga Live. “This morning I looked at the Form and I was like, ‘Man, I really don’t think there’s much in there and I know he’s got gate speed,’ so I gave it a shot.”

George Weaver | Sarah Andrew

The $200,000 Skidmore S., a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint at Saratoga Aug. 27, could be next, per Weaver.

“We’ll probably come back later in the meet in that and see what he could do,” Weaver said. “Maybe he could take us to the Breeders’ Cup like some previous ones.”

Wood Island, a $220,000 KEESEP yearling turned $250,000 EASMAY juvenile, is a half-brother to Arm Candy (Twirling Candy), MSP, $243,213. The winner’s dam Chilly Fashion, a maiden of three career starts and half-sister to GSWs Corfu (Malibu Moon) and New York Central (Tapit), is also responsible for a yearling colt by Army Mule and a filly of this year by Kingsbarns. She was bred back to Jackie’s Warrior.

1st-Saratoga, $106,950, Msw, 7-31, 2yo, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:06.17, ft, 1 1/2 lengths.
WOOD ISLAND (c, 2, Jackie’s Warrior–Chilly Fashion, by Artie Schiller) Sales history: $220,000 Ylg ’25 KEESEP; $250,000 2yo ’26 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Smart Choice Stable; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-George Weaver.

The post Jackie’s Warrior’s Wood Island Sharp on Debut in Off the Turfer at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

State of Maryland Completes Acquisition of IP Rights to Preakness, Black Eyed Susan

---

Edited Press Release

In a press release shared July 31, the office of the Governor of the State of Maryland revealed that it has completed its acquisition of the Intellectual Property (IP) Rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black Eyed Susan from 1/ST Racing.

Governor Wes Moore notified the racing entity June 18 that the state would be exercising its right of first refusal to match the $85-million offer made by Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) to acquire the IP rights. The Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) issued notes to finance the acquisition. No General Fund tax dollars were expended to acquire the rights.

“The Preakness Stakes is a cornerstone of Maryland’s history, culture, and economy–so our administration is dedicated to preserving our state as a key power player in the Triple Crown for generations to come,” said Gov. Moore. “With this final acquisition we are not only leveraging the Preakness’s iconic status and uplifting our horse racing industry, we are revitalizing the communities that directly benefit from the economic opportunities of the race.”

Through the acquisition, the State of Maryland secured ownership of the valuable IP rights, ensuring that the Preakness will call Baltimore and Maryland home well into the future and the State will remain in firm control of Maryland’s multi-billion-dollar equine industry. The State of Maryland now possesses sole ownership of the vital assets that drive its horseracing sector–with Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park under control of the Maryland Stadium Authority and day-to-day horseracing being overseen by The Maryland Jockey Club, a not-for-profit organization established by state law.

By owning the IP, the State will no longer be subject to the disadvantageous fee structure of the existing exclusive licensing agreement, which would have escalated costs for the State over time. Instead, the State will operate under a model that prioritizes industry health and community benefit, consistent with the nonprofit model adopted by the Maryland Jockey Club.

To read the release in its entirety, please go here.

The post State of Maryland Completes Acquisition of IP Rights to Preakness, Black Eyed Susan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jackie’s Warrior’s Wood Island Sharp on Debut in Off the Turfer at the Spa

---

Saratoga Maidens, Presented by Keeneland

Wood Island (Jackie’s Warrior) shot out to the front and never looked back facing just three rivals — including a pair by his same freshman sire — in this rained-off debut at the Spa Friday.

Off as the 2-5 favorite, Wood Island broke like a shot from his rail draw and showed the way through an easy opening quarter in :23.10. He raced in hand approaching the quarter pole and was hand ridden down the lane by Irad Ortiz, Jr. to become the second winner for his first-crop sire (by Maclean’s Music). Jackpot Jackie (Jackie’s Warrior) came running late to cut the margin to 1 1/2 lengths and complete the Jackie’s Warrior exacta.

Without Hesitation (Jackie’s Warrior), a $2.3-million OBS April breezer, was scratched by trainer Wesley Ward. She was re-entered in a maiden special weight turf sprint versus fillies at the Spa on Wednesday.

“Yesterday I was committed to scratching, I had no interest in running him on the dirt,” winning trainer George Weaver said in the winner’s circle on Saratoga Live. “This morning I looked at the Form and I was like, ‘Man, I really don’t think there’s much in there and I know he’s got gate speed,’ so I gave it a shot.”

George Weaver | Sarah Andrew

The $200,000 Skidmore S., a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint at Saratoga Aug. 27, could be next, per Weaver.

“We’ll probably come back later in the meet in that and see what he could do,” Weaver said. “Maybe he could take us to the Breeders’ Cup like some previous ones.”

Wood Island, a $220,000 KEESEP yearling turned $250,000 EASMAY juvenile, is a half-brother to Arm Candy (Twirling Candy), MSP, $243,213. The winner’s dam Chilly Fashion, a maiden of three career starts and half-sister to GSWs Corfu (Malibu Moon) and New York Central (Tapit), is also responsible for a yearling colt by Army Mule and a filly of this year by Kingsbarns. She was bred back to Jackie’s Warrior.

1st-Saratoga, $106,950, Msw, 7-31, 2yo, 5 1/2f (off turf), 1:06.17, ft, 1 1/2 lengths.
WOOD ISLAND (c, 2, Jackie’s Warrior–Chilly Fashion, by Artie Schiller) Sales history: $220,000 Ylg ’25 KEESEP; $250,000 2yo ’26 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Smart Choice Stable; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-George Weaver.

The post Jackie’s Warrior’s Wood Island Sharp on Debut in Off the Turfer at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.