Ft. Washington, MD — The Maryland Racing Commission Thursday (Oct. 24) granted approval for Rosecroft Raceway to move most of its Sunday programs to Monday given horse transportation issues related to a lengthy construction project on the Bay Bridge, which spans the Chesapeake Bay.

Many horsemen ship to the Washington, D.C.-area track from the Eastern Shore. Major traffic backups, particularly for those headed westbound toward Annapolis, have become a regular occurrence and, according to reports, have at times doubled travel time for horsemen.

Heading westbound on Mondays in between rush hours and heading east after the racing program that begins at 7:15 p.m. is believed to be a better option.

“The Chesapeake Bay Bridge construction has become an increasingly significant issue for the majority of our horsemen that reside on the Eastern Shore and comprise a large portion of the Maryland Standardbred horse supply,” Rosecroft director of operations Lisa Watts said. “The Sunday travel has proven to be unpredictable and dangerous. There is dire need for an adjustment in the schedule.”

The transportation issues also have led to a number of scratches.

The following schedule changes were approved: Sunday (Oct. 27) moves to Monday (Oct. 28); Sunday (Nov. 17) to Monday (Nov. 18); Sunday (Nov. 24) to Monday (Nov. 25); Sunday (Dec. 1) to Monday (Dec. 2); Sunday (Dec. 8) to Monday (Dec. 9); and Sunday (Dec. 15) to Monday (Dec. 16).

Rosecroft races Saturday (Nov. 2) at 7:15 p.m., in conjunction with the Breeders’ Cup simulcast, so no racing was scheduled for that Sunday. In addition, the $100,000 Potomac Pace program will be held as scheduled Sunday (Nov. 10), given the fact invitations had already been sent.

Wednesday night programs from Oct. 30 through closing night, Dec. 18, remain intact.

The MRC also approved a proposal for a change in a regulation related to Standardbred stallion registration. The proposed language states that “a stallion may be moved to another location within the state from its registered breeding location during the breeding season to have semen collected for breeding purposes, provided the stallion returns the same day and the Standardbred Race Fund administrator is provided a detailed monthly report on the stallion’s movements, including the date on which the stallion was moved and the location to which the stallion was taken.”