A Maryland Stadium Authority study released Feb. 24 represented the beginning steps in determining the fate of Baltimore's aging Pimlico Race Course and, indeed, the state's most popular single sports event, the Preakness Stakes.
The most attention-grabbing finding in the study is that a renovation of Pimlico would cost in the range of $248 million to $321 million. However, it would be premature to conclude that a makeover of 147-year old Pimlico, at whatever cost, will wind up being the final resolution.
The analysis -- which was done on behalf of the state, pertinent state agencies and the Maryland Jockey Club -- is self-described as "preliminary in nature" and as such "does not constitute a master plan of Pimlico Race Course."
