The co-owner of Maryland's race tracks is trying to secure a deal that would provide 140 days of live racing in 2011.
Frank Stronach, chairman of MI Developments, which co-owns Laurel Park and Pimlico with Penn National Gaming, said Saturday morning that a verbal agreement had been made with horsemen for 140 days of live racing in 2011.
But horsemen's representatives denied a deal had been made.
Richard Hoffberger, president of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, said, ''I met with Penn; they said we don't have a deal.''
With a Maryland Racing Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday, racetrack ownership and horsemen in the state still have failed to reach any kind of accord that would allow live racing to be scheduled in the coming year.
The live thoroughbred racing season concluded Saturday at Laurel Park. With no deal in place, simulcast wagering in Maryland could end Dec. 31.
