The Maryland Racing Commission tentatively approved a request from the Maryland Jockey Club to begin a new Laurel Park meeting when the pending revenue-sharing agreement is approved by all parties involved.

"We're not exactly sure of the start date," said Jim Mango, Laurel Park-Pimlico vice president. "Hopefully, it'll be during the Laurel fall meeting."

Laurel's meet begins Oct. 14 after Colonial Downs closes in Virginia. The request is a paperwork move designed to isolate the new figures under the 80 percent-20 percent arrangement to be implemented by the thoroughbred and standardbred industries.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horseman's Association has agreed to the revenue-sharing pact with the Jockey Club, but is currently studying the document that Alan Foreman, attorney for the MTHA, called the "master revenue agreement."

"It needs some work," he said. "There are matters that have to be resolved."

That agreement is between the tracks and Cloverleaf Enterprises, Inc., the horsemen's group that operates Rosecroft Raceway.

Nothing can be implemented until the thoroughbred horsemen sanction the agreement between the tracks and the harness industry.

NOTES: The commission reviewed a "very positive" financial report from Rosecroft, which, for the first time, issued a statement separated from Ocean Downs, which was purchased by Bally's, Inc. Paige Davis volunteered to be the commission's representative to the standardbred race fund, and commissioner Vincent Palumbo elected to serve on the standardbred medication committee.

Pub Date: 9/23/98