THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

♪♪] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT, THE PREAKNESS AT LAUREL PARK.

WHAT IS THAT GOING TO BE LIKE?

WE WILL FIND OUT JUST AHEAD.

BUT WE BEGIN TONIGHT ON THE BOOK BEAT.

Dr.

PANAGIS GALIATSATOS IS THE AUTHOR OF MEDICINE FOR THE GREATER GOOD, "MEDICINE FOR THE GREATER GOOD: ACHIEVING THE PROMISE OF MEDICINE THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

Dr.

, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK ON MPT.

TELL OUR AUDIENCE ABOUT THE KIND OF DOCTORING THAT YOU DO?

>> GOOD TO BE BACK AMONGST YOU ALL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND OUR AUDIENCE.

I AM A LUNG AND CRITICAL CARE DOCTOR SO I DEAL A LOT WITH LUNGES IN THE OUTPATIENT CLINIC AND IF YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN THE HOSPITAL I'M RUNNING THE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS.

DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF COVID-19 I PLAYED A ROLE IN MANAGING PATIENTS DURING THE HOSPITAL AND AFTER THE HOSPITAL.

SO PLAYED ALL THOSE ASPECTS.

BUT, YES, LUNG IF YOU NEED HELP BREATHING I'M YOUR GUY.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN IN YOUR WORK THAT LED TO THIS BOOK?

>> MY GOSH.

SO I WOULD SAY WHAT I SAW IN MY WORK WASN'T -- IT WASN'T MY WORK SPECIFICALLY.

I AM A SON OF BALTIMORE BORN AND RAISED AND GROWING UP IN GREEK TOWN WE HAD A HOPKINS HOSPITAL IN OUR BACKYARD AND THAT HOSPITAL SERVED MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

SERVED MY FRIENDS, MY FAMILY AND SO FORTH.

I DID MY RESIDENCY THERE.

AS A RESIDENT THAT IS WHEN I SAW MY WORK AND MY LIFE COME TOGETHER.

I KNEW THE SCIENCE WELL AND I KNEW THE PATIENTS.

BUT WHAT WE ALL LACKED WAS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY CAME FROM.

AS AN INTERN I BEGAN TO GO OUT AND DOING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORK, WORKING WITH CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE WELLNESS THAT MET PEOPLE WHERE THEY WERE AT.

FOR ME IT WAS HOW I WAS RAISED AND MEDICINE COMING TOGETHER AND IF WE KNOW THE SCIENCE AND THE PATIENT TO REALLY EFFICIENTLY PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS WE HAVE TO KNOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE FROM AND WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE.

WHAT DRIVES THEM THE CULTURE IS A PRIORITY.

THAT IS WHAT LED TO THIS WORK AND TO THIS BOOK.

>> Jeff: WITHOUT NAMING NAMES CAN YOU GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEBODY YOU INTERACTED WITH IN THE COMMUNITY AND WERE ABLE TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH WITHOUT EVER STEPPING IN THE FRONT DOOR AT HOPKINS BAYVIEW?

>> OH, YES.

SO HERE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE EXAMPLES.

SO NO NAMES BUT IT IS A CHURCH THAT IS NOT TOO FAR FROM HOPKINS HOSPITAL.

AND THIS CHURCH SITS IN ONE OF THE REGIONS THAT HAD THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF FLU RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS AND FLU RELATED DEATHS.

IT'S NEAR HOPKINS HOSPITAL BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND I REMEMBER GOING TO THE REVEREND AND I SAID LOOK, YOU HAVE I WAS SHOWING HIM THE STATISTICS, AND I MADE THE CASE WE CAN RUN A FLU VACCINE AND KEEP THEM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND SAVE THEIR LIFE.

AND OF THE REF REPRESENTED GOES Dr.

G, MY COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE ANY JOBS.

PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

I GET YOUR CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FLU VACCINES BUT WE WERE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE JOBS AND GET HEALTH AND SO FORTH.

AND THAT HIT ME HARD ONE OF THE FEW TIMES DOING THIS IN MY EARLY YEARS OF MY CAREER WHEN I REALIZED THAT HEALTH DID NOT MEAN MEDICINE IT MEANT MORE HOLISTIC THINGS FOR COMMUNITIES FROM FAMILIES TO GREEN SPACES TO WORSHIP SERVICES.

DIDN'T NEED THOSE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE GENETICS PREDISPOSITIONS OF DISEASES WE NEEDED TO DIVE IN HOW TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY WERE AT.

WE SHOWED UP TWO WEEKS LATER AND I SAID LISTEN I HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR WHAT IF I TOLD YOU GETTING A FLU VACCINE MEANT LESS DAYS OF MISSED WORK.

FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A JOB THIS MEANT THEY DIDN'T MISS A DAY OF WORK OR A PAYCHECK.

IT ALSO LEADS TO LESS DAYS OF SCHOOL MISSED.

SO THOSE PARENTS DON'T NEED TO TAKE DAYS OFF OF WORK TO BE HOME WITH A SICK CHILD.

AND THE REVEREND FROM THAT STANDPOINT HE LOVED IT.

YOU ARE BRINGING FORTH A HEALTH INITIATIVE THAT DIVES INTO THE HEART OF WHAT IS FACED IN OUR COMMUNITY UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THOSE EMPLOYED HOW TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.

THIS WAS AROUND 2017, THE FLU SEASON BETWEEN 16 AND 18 WE VACCINATED 300 PEOPLE.

KEPT THEM ALL FROM COMING INTO THE HOSPITAL THROUGH THESE VACCINES.

FOR ME THE WORK WASN'T BECAUSE WE APPROACHED THEM WITH PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING WE HAD THAT.

BUT WE GOT -- BECAME EFFECTIVE BECAUSE THE REF REPRESENTED THEIR LEADER TOLD US WHAT HEALTH MEANT FOR THAT COMMUNITY.

AND HOW TO REALLY PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS THAT ALIGNS WITH THEIR GOALS.

THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES AND THE BOOK HAS MANY OTHER STORIES NOT ONLY THE SIGNS HOW TO DO IT AND WHY WE NEED TO DO IT AND THE STORIES BRING THOSE POINTS HOME.

>> Jeff: YOU TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

THOSE PEOPLE COULD BE DOCTORS LIKE YOURSELF, IT COULD BE NURSES, THEY COULD BE OTHER KINDS OF PEOPLE DOING THIS OUTREACH, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

SO WHEN MEDICINE FOR THE GREATER GOOD BEGAN TO CATCH ON WITHIN OUR OWN INSTITUTION I DID GET CRITICISM THAT MUCH OF IT IS DRIVEN BY YOUR PASSIONS YOU ARE FROM HERE OF COURSE YOU HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.

AND I SAID TO MYSELF OTHERS CAN DO THAT TOO, WE CAN TAP INTO THAT PASSION THAT DRIVES PEOPLE THAT BECAUSE THEY MAYBE A MECHANIC OR ELECTRICIAN A DOCTOR, CLINICIAN, THEY WANT TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE THAT NEEDED INTELLIGENCE.

WE HAVE GRAVITATED TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS FOR MANY REASONS IT HAS A DEFINITION TO GET REIMBURSEMENTS AND CREATE AN ECONOMIC SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION MANY REASONS.

FOR ME, IT FALLS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS IN MEDICINE FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

IT FALLS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS OUT THERE DOING THE WORK, HAS A NEED OF INTELLIGENCE OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND LEADS THAT MISSING LINK TO PAIR WITH A WELL RESOURCED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND DRIVE AND BRING IN ALL THE RESOURCES TO THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THAT IS WHY WE'VE GRAVITATED TO THEM.

WORKING WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS THEY BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD DOES WELL AND NEEDS.

AND BRIDGES IT WITH OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WITH WHAT WE DON'T DO WELL BUT WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE.

SO FROM MY STANDPOINT IT MAKES SENSE IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THAT COMMUNITY LIAISON.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE REACTION BEEN LIKE FROM YOUR FELLOW HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS INSIDE THE BIG HOSPITAL WHERE THINGS ARE SORT OF TRANSACTIONAL SOMEBODY GETS SICK THEY COME IN AND WE DIAGNOSE THEM GIVE THEM A PILL FIX THEM UP AND TO THE EXTENT THERE'S OUTREACH I WONDER IF YOUR COLLEAGUES THINK THAT'S THE ROLE FOR PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH, THAT SPECIALTY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THAT SORT OF THING?

>> NO, I REMEMBER DOING THIS WORK, YOU DO GET CRITICISM SUCH AS THAT.

BUT HERE IS WHERE I DIVE IN.

FIRST, I APPROACH IT A LITTLE BIT IN A HISTORICAL CONTEXT.

JOHNS HOPKINS, THE PHYSICIAN SIR WILLIAM MOSTLER WHO IS CONSIDERED THE FATHER OF MODERN MEDICINE HE PREACHED THIS.

HE WENT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES HE UNDERSTOOD THAT MUCH OF THE MEDICINE AND DISEASES OUR PATIENTS FACED ARE GROUNDED IN SOCIAL ASPECTS AND THAT A GOOD DOCTOR SHOULD BE OUT THERE.

FAST FORWARD TO EARLIER, I KNOW WE'RE BEING ABOUT TO CELEBRATE OUR 250 YEARS WITH AMERICA ONE OF THE ORIGINAL INDIVIDUALS WHO SIGNED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, Dr.

RUSH, HE WENT OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE GENESIS OF A LOT OF THESE STES DISEASES.

MY ARGUMENT IS IT'S HISTORICAL.

PHYSICIANS THE MODERN PHYSICIANS ALWAYS DID THIS AND IF YOU WANT TO GO BACK A THOUSAND YEARS.

YOU DON'T HAVE PATIENTS GO TO YOU YOU GO TO WHERE THEY ARE AT.

THE OTHER PART I WILL TELL THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS IS FROM THE MED STUDENTS THE RESIDENTS AND PHYSICIANS WHO READ THE BOOK AND WALK AWAY SAYING THIS IS WHY I WANTED TO BECOME A DOCTOR.

IF YOU THINK OF IT FOR MANY OF US THAT HAD THAT CALLING WE'VE NEVER DOCTORED BEFORE AND YOU'VE DRIVEN BY THIS BY SOME DEFENDANT ANY THAT PULLS ON THE HEART STRINGS.

IF YOU READ THE PERSONAL STATEMENTS MEDICINE FOR THE GREATER GOOD ALLOWS THEM THE ABILITY TO BECOME THE DOCTOR THEY HAVE WANTED TO BE.

FROM A HISTORICAL CONTEXT RIGHT WORK TO DO FROM A LOT OF OUR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS IT REAFFIRMS WHY THEY BECAME PHYSICIANS.

AND FROM A HEALTHCAR SYSTEM THE REACTION IT MAKES SENSE WHILE MUCH OF THE RESPONSIBILITY WE CAN MAKE A CASE WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE.

THESE ARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS OUR PATIENTS OUR POPULATIONS MEANT TO SERVE AND IT SHOULD FALL ON THE SHOULDERS OF ONE GROUP.

AND COVID-19 SHOWCASED THAT AND DEMONSTRATED IT WELL.

WHEN YOU HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS WORKING TOGETHER, THAT IS HOW WE SAVE LIVES.

WE MEDICALLY MESSAGED IT TO THE RIGHT COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO TOOK IT ON AND RAN WITH IT.

BUT WE DID IT BOTH BY THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND I DO THINK WE CAN ACHIEVE A GREATER GOOD IF ALL THESE INDIVIDUALS COME TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WORKING COLLECTIVELY TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND FOR ME AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT REAFFIRMS MEDICINE AS A PUBLIC TRUST WHEN WE DO THAT, GO OUT TO THE PLACES WHERE THE PUBLIC TRUSTS.

>> Jeff: I HAVE A MINUTE BUT DO YOU FEEL LIKE AT THE MOMENT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE TRENDS IN HEALTHCARE THAT YOU HAVE THE WIND AT YOUR BACK IN YOUR MISSION?

OR DO YOU HAVE THE WIND IN-YOUR-FACE A LITTLE BIT?

I'M THINKING ABOUT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND THE FEE FOR SERVICE MODEL AND YOU KNOW THE VARIOUS TRENDS THAT MAKE US A VERY BUSY SOCIETY?

>> I THINK THE WIND IS AT OUR BACK.

WHILE WE ARE BUSY AND HEAVY WITH TECHNOLOGY AND I SEE THE WRITING ON THE WALL FOR THE A.I.

AND SO FORTH, AT THE END OF THE DAY MEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE IS ALWAYS AND WILL ALWAYS BE DRIVEN BY THE PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT.

I LOVE OUR TOOLS THAT WILL MAKE IT WORK MORE EFFICIENT, THE WIND IS ON OUR BACK PUSHING US FURTHER FORWARD BUT WHAT IT TEACHES AND DOES WELL IT 0 PROMOTES THAT PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT IN EFFICIENT WAYS THAT MEETS PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT AND PROMOTES HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN A MANNER THAT IS SO EFFICIENT THAT HEALTH OUTCOME AS CHIEF THEIR EQUITABLE OUTCOME.

I'M EXCITED.

I THINK THE FUTURE LOOKS GOOD FOR MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> Jeff: Dr.

G WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THE BEST WITH YOUR BOOK.

Dr.

PANAGIS GALIATSATOS AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Jeff: NOW, THE 151ST RUNNING OF THE PREAKNESS IS COMING UP SATURDAY.

WE'RE JOINED BID PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB BILL KNAUF.

WHAT CAN RACING FANS EXPECT THIS WEEKEND?

>> WELL, SOME GREAT RACING COMING UP WITH THE BLACK EYE SUSAN DAY FRIDAY AND PREAKNESS DAY SATURDAY.

THE CARD IS TREMENDOUS IT IS A GREAT RACE.

AND LATER TODAY WE'RE EXCITED TO DRAW ABOUT 13 OR 14 HORSES ENTERING THE PREAKNESS.

IT SHOULD BE A HUGE DAY.

>> Jeff: HOW DIFFERENT IS A PREAKNESS AT LAUREL PARK GOING TO BE?

MY MEMORY, OF COURSE, IT'S ALWAYS AT PIMLICO?

>> YEAH, I'VE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THAT IT IS A ONE OFF IT IS A UNIQUE SITUATION.

LAUREL IS A GREAT PLACE IT'S BEEN OUR HOME FOR MANY YEARS HERE FOR MARYLAND RACING.

PIMLICO WE COULD GO FOR THE PREAKNESS AND IT HAS ITS DAY IN THE SUN FOR THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

AND IT IS A BEAUTIFUL TRACK.

IT IS A GREAT BUILDING.

IT'S VERY COMFORTABLE.

IT IS A LARGER RACETRACK SURFACE SO IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN PIMLICO WAS.

THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS IN WITH THE RACING.

>> Jeff: EXPECTING 100,000 PEOPLE, I GUESS NOT?

IT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN THAT RESPECT.

>> NOT IF WE DRAIN THE INFIELD LINK QUICKLY.

SO, YEAH, THIS WILL BE A DIFFERENT ONE ABOUT 4800 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED.

AND IT'S SOLD OUT.

AND YOU KNOW JUST BECAUSE OF THE CONFIGURATION OF LAUREL, IT'S OBVIOUSLY VERY DIFFERENT WHERE PIMLICO CAN PUT THE MASSES IN THE INFIELD AND PIMLICO'S OLD BUILDING WAS LARGER.

AND LAUREL JUST DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF SPACE AROUND THE ACTUAL FACILITY ITSELF.

SO YOU KNOW, BUT NONETHELESS I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY FUN DAY.

>> Jeff: IS IT RIGHT TO LOOK AT THIS EVENT HOWEVER IT TURNS OUT AS SORT OF A TRANSITIONAL YEAR?

I MEAN WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE DERBY HORSES WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE NORMAL CROWDS.

BUT A YEAR FROM NOW, HOPEFULLY WE GET BACK TO SOMETHING MORE NORMAL WITH PIMLICO KIND OF HALF BUILT AT THAT POINT?

>> YEAH, NO, YOU HIT IT ON THE HEAD.

I THINK IT IS CERTAINLY FOR US IN MARYLAND A TRANSITION YEAR.

IT'S THE LAST PREAKNESS RUN BY THE STRONGIC GROUP AND WE TRANSITION TO THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB AND WE'RE BACK AT PIMLICO AND THAT WILL BE A TRANSITION AS WELL.

I THINK THE BUILDING WILL NOT BE COMPLETED BUT A LOT OF THE EQUINE FACILITIES THE BARNS THE TUNNEL A BIG PIECE FOR NEXT YEAR.

SO THERE WILL BE A LOT.

AND I THINK FANS WILL BE EXCITED TO GET BACK TO THE PIMLICO RACING SURFACE AND HAVE THE INFIELD AND THE HOSPITALITY READY.

BUT YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE THIS ONE AT LAUREL VERY SPECIAL FOR THOSE ATTENDING AND WATCHING AND YET TO YOUR POINT, WE ARE CERTAINLY EXCITED ABOUT 27 AS WELL.

>> Jeff: TELL ME ABOUT THE TUNNEL I JUST LEARNED ABOUT IT.

THERE HAD BEEN A WALKWAY TNEL UNDER THE TRACK AT PIMLICO.

THIS IS IS A MUCH BIGGER TUNNEL AND IT MUST MEAN THERE IS AN INTEREST IN DOING SOMETHING WITH THE INFIELD THERE?

>> FOR SURE.

THEY HAD A SMALL TUNNEL WHICH IS STILL GOING TO REMAIN.

BUT ANYBODY ELSE CROSSING THE TRACK HAD TO WAIT FOR WHAT WE CALLED THE TRAMS TO ROLLOVER THE TRACK, ROLLOVER THE DIRT AND THE GRASS COURSES.

AND THOSE WILL GO AWAY.

AND WE'VE GOT A DOUBLE WIDE TRACTOR-TRAILER TUNNEL AND THAT WILL ALLOW US CERTAINLY TO SETUP ALL OF THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION MUCH EASIER.

AND, I THINK, FORESEEING INTO THE FUTURE WE WILL DO MORE EVENTS OUT THERE AND THAT WILL LEND ITSELF FOR CONCERTS EASIER SETUP AND YOU KNOW WE CAN HOLD EVENTS WHERE FOLKS CAN DRIVE THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND PARK OUT THERE.

A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO USE IT.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE TRIPLE CROWN ITSELF?

I MEAN I KNOW THE MEDIA RIGHTS ARE COMING UP FOR RENEGOTIATION.

WE HAVE THIS SPACING PROBLEM.

WHERE CHURCH CHURCH DOESN'T WANT TO DO THE DERBY BEFORE THE FIRST SATURDAY IN MAY.

THE BELMONT, THE THIRD JEWEL DOESN'T WANT TO MOVE BACK THE PREAKNESS IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE AND THE FACT THAT NONE OF THE TRAINERS FROM THE DERBY ARE BRINGING THEIR HORSES TO MARYLAND, CEMENTS THE IDEA THE INDUSTRY SEE IT IS TWO WEEK IS TOO SHORT?

>> WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE THE DERBY WINNER AND SOME YEARS IT WORKS OUT AND SOME YEARS IT DOESN'T.

I THINK WE'VE ENTERED THE MEDIA RIGHTS PROCESS AND THE DATE SITUATION WITH WIDE OPEN.

WE'RE CONSIDERING ALL FACTORS AS WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND WE ARE IN THE MID-ELF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS NOW.

WE'LL PROBABLY KNOW MORE IN A MONTH IN TERMS HOW THAT TURNS OUT.

AND THAT ALL OF THIS FACTORS IN FOR SURE.

THE PREAKNESS IS THE JEWEL, THE SECOND JEWEL OF THE TRIPLE CROWN AND THAT IS WHAT IT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE AND IT'S HERE IN MARYLAND AND IT WILL STAY IN MARYLAND.

AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE CONSIDERING EVERYTHING AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE PATH FORWARD.

>> Jeff: I GET NERVOUS ABOUT IT STAYING IN MARYLAND WHEN CHURCHILL DOWNS IS BUYING THE RIGHTS TO THE NAME TO THE WORD PREAKNESS AND THEY ARE SAYING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS AT THE MOMENT.

I WAS HERE WHEN THE COLTS LEFT TOWN AND IT MAKES ME NERVOUS.

>> YEAH, I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND IT.

I AM NOT A MARYLANDER AND I HEARD ABOUT THE COLTS.

THE WAY OUR LEASE IS STRUCTURED THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB RETAINS ALL OF THE RIGHTS TO RUN THE PREAKNESS AND THAT INCLUDES THE MEDIA RIGHTS AND WE'RE GOING TO TREAT IT WITH KID GLOVES AND GREAT CARE AND DO THE BEST WHAT IS BEST FOR MARYLAND AND CERTAINLY RACING IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: TELL US ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE NEW PIMLICO.

IT'S GOING TO LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT?

>> YEAH, IT WILL BE HISTORIC.

BACK FROM THE 1940s, 50s, DESIGN VERY CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE.

I'M VERY EXCITED.

I THINK SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE NEW BUILDINGS THAT COME ABOUT THEY ARE MODERN LOOKING AND THIS IS GOING TO HAVE AN OLD TIME FEEL TO IT WITH THE MODERN AMENITIES INSIDE.

OUR GROUP AND BANQUET ROOMS WILL BE UPDATED WE WILL HAVE A SPORTS BAR AND A RESTAURANT AND A MUSEUM IN THERE AN OWED TO THE ODE TO THE OLD PIMLICO AND IT WILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

>> Jeff: ONE OF THE REASONS THE LEGISLATURE AGREED TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, REBUILDING, REFUSHING THINGS AT PIMLICO WAS THE IDEA IT WILL BE AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY IN NORTHWEST BALTIMORE.

WHAT DO YOU SEE THERE?

>> YEAH, WHEN THEY DESIGNED THIS LAW THE LEGISLATORS HAVE A PORTION OF OUR PROFITS 10% GOING TO PARK HEIGHTS.

AND I FORESEE THAT AS A GREAT ATTRIBUTE.

WE WANT TO REVITALIZE THIS COMMUNITY.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WILL ALSO LEAD TO THAT IS BEING THE HOME OF RACING NOW AT PIMLICO.

WE ARE GOING TO RUN 120 DAYS THERE AND THAT HASN'T HAPPENED BEFORE.

LAUREL HAS BEEN THE HOME OF RACING AND GO UP TO PIMLICO AND RUN A SHORT MEET AND COME BACK.

BUT NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE UP THERE 365 DAYS A YEAR, 120 DAYS OF RACING AND THAT WILL LEAD TO ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND GROWTH AROUND THIS AREA.

YOU WILL SEE MORE TRAFFIC AND HOPEFULLY RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING KIND OF FLOWS FROM THAT.

THE MORE TRAFFIC WE CAN DRIVE TO THE FACILITY, I THINK THE BETTER THAT COMMUNITY IS GOING TO DO AND THRIVE.

>> Jeff: IS 120 RACING DAYS THE RIGHT NUMBER IN YOUR VIEW?

>> I THINK IT IS RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THE ONLY TWO MONTHS THAT WE DON'T RUN ARE JULY AND AUGUST WHEN OUR HORSES WE HAVE A AGREEMENT WITH COLONIAL DOWNS AND IT'S WORKED WELL.

GREAT PARTNERS THERE AND COLONIAL IS OWNED BY CHURCHILL DOWNS THAT IS GREAT SYNERGY THERE.

FOR RIGHT NOW WE WANT TO TRY TO KEEP A YEAR-ROUND PRESENCE IN RACING CIRCUIT I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF STATES THAT DO IT.

SO I THINK THAT CAN BE AN ATTRACTION IN THE FUTURE ONCE WE GET UP UPDATED FACILITIES AND A TRAINING CENTER AND A TRACK, IT WILL BE ATTRACTIVE FOR HORSEMEN AROUND THE COUNTRY TO LOOK AT US AND SAY, I NEED TO MOVE TO MARYLAND AND START RACING THERE.

>> Jeff: HOW IS THE BUSINESS SIDE OF IT?

THE TRIPLE CROWN IS A BIG DEAL REMAINS A BIG DEAL.

DAILY RACING HAD FALLEN ON HARD TIMES IN TERMS OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE AT A TRACK.

BUT THE BUSINESS MODEL HAS CHANGED A LOT?

>> YEAH, BETTING LIKE ALL SORT OF FORMS OF GAMBLING MOVED TO THE INTERNET AND YOUR PHONE.

IT'S VERY JUST THAT IS THE CONVENIENCE FACTOR OF TODAY.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE DOING AT LAUREL AND CERTAINLY GOING TO DO WHEN WE MOVE TO PIMLICO IS MAKE THE LIVE EXPERIENCE VERY ATTRACTIVE TO FOLKS.

WE DO MAKE MORE MONEY WHEN THEY ARE ON-SITE IN OUR BUILDING.

WE GAIN A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF THE REVENUE COMPARED TO WHEN SOMEBODY WAGERS ON THEIR PHONE AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE WILL HAVE THIS BRAND NEW FACILITY LET'S DRIVE TRAFFIC TO IT AND IT WILL LEAD TO GREATER PROFITS FOR US.

RACING HAS GONE THROUGH A LOT IN THE PAST FIVE TO 10 YEARS.

IT'S STILL CONSOLIDATING TO THE RIGHT NUMBER AND OBVIOUSLY MARYLAND HAS CONSOLIDATED THEY MAKE A BIG JUMP GOING FROM 150 TO 120.

EVERY YEAR IT'S REEVALUATED BUT I DON'T THINK THERE IS A URGE TO REDUCE THAT AT THIS MOMENT.

>> Jeff: TELL ME ABOUT THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB AND YOUR JOB IN TRANSITIONING IT.

I HAVE THIS MEMORY IT WAS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S OLDEST CORPORATIONS OR MAYBE OLDEST SPORTS CORPORATIONS AND NOW THE NAME IS ASSOCIATED WITH A NEW NONPROFIT THAT IS A STATE CONTROLLED ENTITY?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1743.

TO YOUR POINT, YOU ARE CORRECT, IT IS ONE OF THE IF NOT THE OLDEST SPORTING ORGANIZATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA.

AND THAT'S PRETTY SPECIAL TO HAVE THAT HISTORY AND THE NAME.

AND I THINK WHEN THE STATE HAD CREATED US AS A 501C 4 NONPROFIT, THAT WAS THE ONUS WAS LET'S KEEP THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB NAME AND THE HISTORY OF IT.

AND 100% THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO BECAUSE YOU WANT TO HONOR THE HISTORY.

NOT EVERYBODY HAS THAT TYPE OF RACING HISTORY.

BUT WHAT THAT SAID WERE WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY A FUNCTION OF THE STATE.

WE WERE BORN BY THE STATE.

BUT WE ACT INDEPENDENTLY AND WE HAVE AN INDEPENDENT BOARD.

BUT WE ARE A NONPROFIT AND WE ACT ON BEHALF OF THE RACING COMMUNITY.

AND PARK HEIGHTS.

AND SO IT IS A VERY GOOD MODEL.

NEW YORK HAS IT.

DEL MAR IN CALIFORNIA HAS IT WHERE THE STATE OWNS THE FACILITIES SO THEY ARE PROTECTED AT THE FACILITIES.

AND A NORTHBOUND PROFIT OPEN -- NONPROFIT OPERATES FOR IT.

>> Jeff: THE LAST THING IS SAFETY.

FOR THE HORSES, I RECALL THAT THE TRACK AT PIMLICO HAD A GOOD LONG-TERM SAFETY RECORD AND, I THINK, WE'RE LEAVING IT ALONE.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS GETTING KNOCKED DOWN AND MOVED BUT WE WILL HAVE ROUGHLY THAT SAME TRACK?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

THE TRACK SURFACE AND THE OVALS REMAIN THE SAME.

WHAT WE DID AT THE END OF LAST YEAR BEFORE CONSTRUCTION START SECOND THE TOP FIVE INCHES OF THE TRACK WHICH IS CALLED THE CUSHION WE PICKED UP THE CUSHION BECAUSE IT'S GREAT MATERIAL.

WE PILE TO DO ON THE INFIELD SEALED READY FOR US TO COME BACK WHENEVER WE'RE READY TO PUT IT BACK ON.

NOW WE'VE HAD WITH TWO YEARS OFF WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PATCH UP ANYTHING BECAUSE OF AGE THAT YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S PARTS OF THE BASE OR THE TURF COURSE OR DRAINAGE TO MODERNIZE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

YOU ARE RIGHT, PIMLICO HAD A GREAT RECORD.

IT IS A GREAT TRACK.

IT WAS A GREAT SURFACE AND WE INTEND TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> Jeff: BILL KNAUF HOPE OF YOU A TERRIFIC WEEKEND AT THE PREAKNESS AT LAUREL PARK RUNNING THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU, JEFF.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE".

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND THE FREE PBS APP AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪]