A bipartisan group of Maryland legislators is “already opposed” to the state’s interest in buying the rights to the Preakness Stakes’ brand for $85M, though Gov. Wes Moore “won’t say whether the state will purchase” the rights or “where that money would come from if it decides to do so,” according to Tinashe Chingarande of the BALTIMORE SUN. Moore on Saturday at Laurel Park said that he wants “to make sure that the Preakness will never leave the state of Maryland.” Chingarande noted Churchill Downs in April acquired the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes for $85M, but Maryland law “allows the state to match the deal.” Moore said that there is “‘no daylight between where we are and where Churchill Downs is’ on the Preakness staying in the state.” But Maryland state Sen. Jim Rosapepe, who represents parts of Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County and was present at Laurel Park on Saturday, said that “spending money to acquire the Preakness brand is ‘ridiculous.’” Maryland currently leases the Triple Crown race’s intellectual property rights, including all branding and trademarks (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/16).
Maryland legislators opposing potential purchase of Preakness rights
