Saddle Up, Laurel: 115+ Years of Laurel Park Racing
Willie Shoemaker, Secretariat, and Elizabeth Taylor. October 2011 marked the Hundredth Anniversary of Laurel Park. The Laurel Museum celebrated this milestone with And They’re Off! 100 Years at Laurel Park, an exhibition that ran February to December 2011. It explored the glamour and grit of racing, life behind the scenes at Laurel Park, and the impact on the town for which it is named. And They’re Off was filled with articles and memorabilia; including items such as Willie Shoemaker’s boot last, jockey silks, race cards, and many famous winner’s circle photos. There were celebrities, both human and equine, including Secretariat, Count Fleet, Kelso, Tip O’Neill and Elizabeth Taylor.
We have updated our 2011 exhibit to provide a more in-depth look at the history of racing, its people, and impact on Laurel. This exhibition explores Laurel Park from the beginning years all the way through today’s fading and often tenuous present filled with controversies over slots, bankruptcy, limited racing schedules and threatened shut-downs. The exhibit starts in 1911, when the Track began as part of a Four County Fair with high-wire acts, to the Golden Age of the Washington International, to the modern-day races like the Maryland Million, and more!
We have updated our 2011 exhibit to provide a more in-depth look at the history of racing, its people, and impact on Laurel. This exhibition explores Laurel Park from the beginning years all the way through today’s fading and often tenuous present filled with controversies over slots, bankruptcy, limited racing schedules and threatened shut-downs. The exhibit starts in 1911, when the Track began as part of a Four County Fair with high-wire acts, to the Golden Age of the Washington International, to the modern-day races like the Maryland Million, and more!
Laurel’s Thoroughbred Tradition
Community Importance
The Backstretch
Entertainment
Glitz & Glamour
Day at the Races
Digital Resources:
Video on the Exhibit!
Video on Kroops Boots!
Check Out Some Famous Races at Laurel Park:
Secretariat in 1972
TV Lark in 1961
Kelso in 1964
Affirmed in 1977
Additional Videos Explaining the Horse Racing Industry:
Trainer Barn
Hot Walking
Starter
Groom
Valet
Clerk of Scales
Exercise Rider
Assigned Weight
Patrol Judge
Paddock Judge
Video on the Exhibit!
Video on Kroops Boots!
Check Out Some Famous Races at Laurel Park:
Secretariat in 1972
TV Lark in 1961
Kelso in 1964
Affirmed in 1977
Additional Videos Explaining the Horse Racing Industry:
Trainer Barn
Hot Walking
Starter
Groom
Valet
Clerk of Scales
Exercise Rider
Assigned Weight
Patrol Judge
Paddock Judge
