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Centaur granted rights to buy Rosecroft
The Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association votes to sell to Centaur Racing, an Indiana-based racetrack and casino company. Centaur was considered a long shot but won out as a middle ground between two other racing companies competing for the sale. Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos made a last minute bid that was largely ignored. The company hopes to use Rosecroft to make it big with Maryland slots but the deal must be approved by the Maryland Racing Commission first. -
Important Slots Bill Rejected
A Maryland House committee rejects a bill to legalize slot-machine gamboling and attempts to revise the bill are unsuccessful, dashing Centaur’s hopes for slots at Rosecroft. The company becomes uneasy about the deal and starts to seek another bidder. -
Delaware North joins the sale
With slots shot down, Centaur brings in Delaware North as a partner for the deal to purchase Rosecroft. The Buffalo-based company boasted experience in running racetracks and the deal would hand over 75 percent of Rosecroft’s ownership and the running of day-to-day operations. -
Centaur wants a split from Delaware North
Centaur announces that, while they are still interested in taking on a partner for the Rosecroft purchase, Delaware North is no longer welcome. No reason is given initially, but concerns about Delaware North’s past ties to organizes crime emerge. Delaware North refuses to back down, insisting the deal is still on and pushing for the sale. The sale to Centaur still hinges on approval from the Maryland Racing Commission. -
Delaware North takes Centaur to court
Delaware North obtains a restraining order to temporarily prevent Centaur from backing out of the deal for a joint purchase of Rosecroft. -
Federal Judge orders Centaur to uphold the deal
A federal judge in New York finds that Centaur was not justified in backing out of the deal to purchase Rosecroft with Delaware North despite concerns over the company’s past ties to organized crime. Centaur cannot consider other potential partners. Centaur promptly appeals and a messy court battle over the rights to purchase Rosecroft ensues. -
Centaur emerges as “victor”
Centaur and Delaware North announce that they have officially abandoned their joint venture, leaving Centaur with the sole rights to purchase Rosecroft but low on money and time to make the deal happen. -
Centaur’s contract expires; More bidders line up
Centaur’s October 2002 contract to purchase Rosecroft expires without approval from the Maryland Racing Commission. Potential bidders begin lining up for rights to the next contract, including several other companies that own racetracks in Maryland and Delaware North. -
Northwind Racing LLC selected as bidder
The Cloverleaf Standardbred Owners Association board of directors vote to accept the bid from Northwind Racing LLC, a Laurel company headed by a longtime veterinarian at the track who says he would purchase the track regardless of whether slots were approved. -
Centaur refuses to back down
Despite missing the Nov. 1 deadline, Centaur maintains it has a right to purchase Rosecroft and sues new bidder Northwind Racing. -
Thoroughbred simulcasts at Rosecroft end
After a decision by The Maryland Jockey Club, Rosecroft is no longer able to receive or offer wagering on simulcasts of thoroughbred races, which are the most popular races to bet on. The decision comes after the expiration of an 11-year-old deal whereby Pimlico and Laurel Park shared revenue 80-20 with Rosecroft. -
Maryland Racing Commission blocks sale to Northwind
The Maryland Racing Commission votes to prevent the sale of Rosecroft to Northwind Racing LLC, saying that the move was not in the best interest of Maryland horse racing. . Northwind had predicated the sale on thoroughbred simulcasting rights without the obligation to compensate the thoroughbred industry. -
Angelos family agrees to purchase Rosecroft
With the deal appearing to be in its final stages, the family of Baltimore Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos agree to purchase Rosecroft for $13 million, hoping their influence can bring slots to the ailing racetrack. -
Angelos family backs out
The Angelos family backs out after Prince George’s County officials agreed to oppose slots anywhere in the county, including at Rosecroft. This marks the third potential buyer the track has lost in two years. -
Penn National Gaming, Inc. offers to purchase Rosecroft
Cloverleaf Enterprises Inc. announces that an offer of an undisclosed amount has been made by Penn National Gaming, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based casino company. The news quickly reignites the slots debate even though The Washinton Post reports that Penn National said the deal did not depend on the legalization of slots. -
Penn National withdraws offer
After a thick debate over slots, which included developers of near-by National Harbor who strongly opposed such gamboling at Rosecroft, Penn National withdraws their offer. The company cites recent legislation authorizing a referendum on slot machines at several competing tracks, excluding Rosecroft. -
Bankruptcy
Cloverleaf Enterprises, then the owner of Rosecroft, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. -
Rosecroft Closes
Without live racing and without simulcasting thoroughbred races, the track is no longer viable and officially closes. Nearly 200 employees and countless horses and horsemen are affected. -
Rosecroft goes to auction, sells to Penn National
Cloverleaf Enterprises auctions its assets, including Rosecroft. A $10.2 million bid by Penn National Gaming, Inc. beats out Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos. -
Racing Returns
Opening night features the first live harness races held at Rosecroft in 3 years. -
Anti-Slots Bill
PG County Council passes on a bill that would effectively ban slots.