Maryland’s revamped $400M bet on Pimlico deserves the go-ahead

It may have been a bit slow out of the starting gate, but legislation to upgrade Pimlico Race Course at a cost of $400 million is picking up speed in Annapolis. At a hearing Tuesday, lawmakers debated the price tag and the practicality of a last-minute bill introduced last week in the General Assembly meant to help secure the future of the Preakness Stakes and thoroughbred horse racing in Maryland, and to revive an economically challenged section of Northwest Baltimore.