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.

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.

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

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

GOOD EVENINGLE COME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

WE ARE PREVIEW THE MILLION EVENTS HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND AND LOOKING BACK AT 25 YEARS OF "DIRECT CONNECTION" PROGRAMS ON MPT.

FIRST A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN CONGRESSMAN ANDY HARRIS AND A STUDENT REPORTER HOOS GONE NATIONAL WITH MEDIA GROUPS CRITICIZING HIS ASSERTION AT THAT TIME THE REPORTER COULD BE PROSECUTED FOR RECORDING HIS PRESS EVENT.

JOINING US TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARYLAND'S TWO PARTY CONSENT RECORDING LAW IS ATTORNEY JOYCE SMITHEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE TWO-PARTY CONSENTED THINGS MEANS YOU CAN POT RECORD SOMEBODY WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE OR PERMISSION, RIGHT.

>> .

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, JEFF.

AND YOU'RE CLOSE.

FIRST OF ALL TWO-PARTY ISN'T CORRECT IT'S ALL-PARTY CON ACCEPTED AND GENERALLY YOU NEED CONSENT.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS AND IT'S ALL ABOUT PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS THAT CAN'T BE RECORDED NOT ALL CONVERSATIONS.

>> Jeff: HOW DOES THIS COME UP IN YOUR LAW PRACTICE WHICH IS MOSTLY FOCUSED ON EMPLOYMENT MATTERS?

>> OH, GOODNESS.

ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE RECORD THEIR BOSS FOR EXAMPLE DURING A PERFORMANCE REVIEW THINKING THEY ARE CAPTURING EVIDENCE THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO A CASE LATER.

OR THEY HAVE A BOSS YELLING ACROSS A CROWDED WORKPLACE SCREAMING AT THEM AND THEY ARE RECORDING THAT.

AND THE REALITY IS THAT IN MARYLAND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THAT IN A CASE.

NOT ONLY DOES THE WIRETAP STATUTE SAY YOU CANNOT USE IT AS EVIDENCE BUT IT COMES AT RISK OF PROSECUTION, BECAUSE THERE IS A CRIMINAL COMPONENT TO OUR WIRETAP STATUTE AND PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IT IS A FIVE-YEAR FELONY IN MARYLAND TO DO THAT.

>> Jeff: HAVE YOU EVER SEEM THAT PROSECUTED?

>> NOT PERSONALLY OTHER THAN WATCHING WITH EAGER INTEREST IN THE LINDA TRIP PROSECUTION.

YOU DO NOT SEE IT AS A CRIME THAT IS OFTEN PIQUING THE INTEREST OF PROSECUTORS IN MARYLAND.

>> Jeff: NOT TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE CONGRESSMAN HARRIS SITUATION AFTER A DEBATE ON THE EASTERN SHORE HE GATHERED A NUMBER OF REPORTERS ON THE SIDE FOR WHAT THEY CALL A GAGGLE, ALL THE REPORTERS SEEMED TO HAVE THEIR PHONES OUT.

I'M GUESSING THERE WOULD BE NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING TO REPORTERS WITH THEIR PHONES OUT?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

A PRESS CONFERENCE IS A DEFINITION OF WHERE YOU DON'T EXPECT A REASONABLE RIGHT TO PRIVACY THERE.

AND EVEN MOREOVER WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VIDEO OF THAT, YOU SEE EVERY OTHER REPORTER THERE WITH A RECORDING DEVICE IN FRONT OF HIM.

HE IS NOT OBJECTING TO OTHER REPORTERS, JUST ONE.

IT'S JUST NOT REASON AN TO SAY THAT THAT IS A PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY STHOOR FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR VIEWERS WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE YOUR CLIENTS, MAYBE SOMEBODY IN SOME SORT OF WORKPLACE DISPUTE, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

WHAT CAN YOU NOT DO?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

GET CONSENT.

AND REMEMBER THAT NOTICE DOES NOT EQUAL CONSENT.

AND THAT COMES UP WITH ALL THE NEW AT ANY TIME, HEY, THERE WAS A PHONE IN FRONT OF YOU IN A PRIVATE CONVERSATION OR SOMEONE'S WEARING META GLASSES SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON NOTICE THAT IS STILL NOT CONSENT.

WHEN YOU PICK UP THE PHONE AND IT SAYS IT MAYBE RECORDED GET CONSENT ANYTIME YOU WILL CAPTURE AUDIO WHERE ONE OF THE PARTIES IS SITTING IN MARYLAND.

THAT IS MY ADVICE.

>> Jeff: I GET THIS MAYBE RECORDED EVERYDAY.

I CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN OIL CHANGE, AND YOU KNOW, THIS MESSAGE THIS CONVERSATION MAYBE RECORDED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE PURPOSES.

IS THAT ALL THEY NEED?

>> YOU KNOW THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION IN THE SENSE THAT I THINK EACH AND FER TIME YOU DO THAT THE QUESTION WILL BECOME IF SOMEONE KNOWS THEY ARE GETTING RECORDED AND CONTINUES THE CONVERSATION IS THAT ENOUGH TO ESTABLISH CONSENT?

THERE IS NOT A LOT OF CASE LAW ON THAT AND IT WILL BE FACT-DRIVEN AND TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN HOW WAS THAT AUDIO CAPTURED.

EVERY TIME YOU IN THAT SITUATION, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT NOTICE COULD TURN INTO CONSENT WHEN YOU CONTINUE WITH THE PRIVATE CONVERSATION?

MAYBE.

YOU KNOW, AGAIN, A COURT WOULD LOOK AT THE FACTS AND THE TECHNOLOGY.

BUT IT'S NEVER CERTAIN.

>> Jeff: I WILL WILL REMIND OUR VIEWERS IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MARYLAND'S WIRETAP LAW SEND US AN E-MAIL TOED ADDRESS ON THE SCREEN, YOU CONSENT TO HAVING ME READ THE E-MAIL ON THE AIR.

JOYCE, OTHER STATES, MOST OF THE OTHER STATES DON'T DO IT THE WAY MARYLAND DOES.

THERE IS A GROUP OF 12, I BELIEVE.

>> YOU'VE DONE YOUR RESEARCH THAT IS THE EXACT NUMBER.

AND IN FACT, IT'S WILD TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO MITD FOLLOW COURT TV IN CALF -- CALIFORNIA WHERE IT IS ADMISSIBLE, IF YOU CAN RECORD YOUR BOSS YELLING AT YOU IN YOUR CASE.

HERE YOU WILL HAVE TO ASSERT THE FIFTH 345E789 WHEN YOU GET QUESTIONED ON THAT.

YOU ARE RIGHT THAT OTHER STATES AREN'T SIMILAR TO MARYLAND AND IT IS A MINORITY JURISDICTION AND REQUIRING ALL PARTY CONSENT.

>> Jeff: THE LEGISLATURE PERIODICALLY LOOKS AT REPEALING OR UPDATING THIS LAW.

AND AS YOU SAY THERE MAYBE GRAY AREAS.

ARE THERE ANY CHANGES THAT YOU THINK WOULD MAKE SENSE?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY WITH AT ANY TIME CHANGING EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I MEAN THE A.I.

TRANSCRIPTION THINGS THAT DIDN'T EXIST A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND BY THE TIME WE GET AROUND TO ADAPTING THE LAW TO ADDRESS WHAT YOUR EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY IS WITH REGARD TO THESE TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES IT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN A YEAR.

I DO THINK THAT THE LAW NEEDS TO BE DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS THINGS LIKE META GLASSES, TRANSCRIPTION, A.I., YOU KNOW, THAT IS NOW THIS YEAR'S VERSION OF HOLDING A CAMERA IN-YOUR-FACE.

NEXT YEAR THERE WILL BE A DIFFERENT VERSION OF IT.

I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADAPT THE LAW TO TECHNOLOGY.

COURTS WILL START SHAPING SOME OF THAT AS WELL.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE DEVELOPMENTS IN ALL OF THE STATES THAT HAVE THE ALL PARTY CONSENT LAWS.

>> Jeff: ARE PHONE CALLS ANY GIVE?

USED TO BE MILLION YEARS AGO AT A 'ROID YO STATION WE HAD A CERTAIN LINE TO RECORD AUDIO AND IT TRANSMITTED A BEEP, THIS MAY HAVE BEEN AN F.C.C.

RULE.

THE OTHER PARTY HEARD BEEP.

WHICH, I GUESS, FROM THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD THEY WERE BEING RECORDED?

>> I SORT OF REMEMBER THIS CALLING INTO RADIO STATIONS WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER TO WIN CONCERT TICKETS I REMEMBER SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

TELEPHONE ISN'T ANY DIFFERENT.

IT'S THE CAPTURE OF AUDIO BY ELECTRONIC MEANS AND RECORDING IT.

IF YOU ARE RECORDING SOMEBODY VIA TELEPHONE AND ONE OF THOSE PARTIES IN MARYLAND IS IN MARYLAND, ARE YOU GOING TO INVOKE THAT MARYLAND WIRETAP LAW THAT AGAIN NOT JUST HAS THE CIVIL PENALTIES IT'S $1,000, BUT IT IS A FIVE-YEAR FELONY IN MARYLAND AND THAT WILL BE IMPLICATED ON A TELEPHONE LAW.

>> ARE THERE AREAS THAT ARE SO DIFFERENT BETWEEN STATES?

I IF I GO DOWN TO ROAD TO WASHINGTON D.C., THEY DON'T HAVE THIS, RIGHT?

SO THAT IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

COULD A MARYLANDER ENTER A EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE AND DRIVE TO WASHINGTON TO PLACE THE CALL THEY SECRETLY RECORD?

NOT ADVISING THAT, BY THE WAY.

>> THAT IS A GREAT DISCLAIMER.

I'VE HAD CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE SOMETHING LIKE BUT THE PROBLEM IS ANY PARTY IN MARYLAND WILL INVOKE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE WIRETAP ACT.

YOU HAVE TO NOT ONLY BE IN DC BUT YOU HAVE TO HOPE THE BOSS HAS TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF MARYLAND AS WELL.

BUT WE DID HAVE A CASE WHERE THAT HAPPENED.

AND THE PERSON HAD A GREAT RECORDING IN A SEX HARASSMENT CASE AND WE WERE ABLE TO USE IT IN A MARYLAND COURT, BECAUSE NONE OF THE PARTIES WERE IN MARYLAND AT THE TIME IT WAS RECORDED.

AND THEREFORE, THAT WIRETAP STATUTE DIDN'T APLAY AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT ADMITTED.

>> Jeff: MORE ON THE TECHNOLOGY CHANGING.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.

MICROPHONES CAN BE HIDDEN ANYWHERE.

YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET THERE ARE CAMERAS RECORDING SECURITY CAMERAS, POLICE CAMERAS, THE EYEGLASSES WITH THE CAMERA IS HIDDEN IN THE TEMPLE.

JUST FOR PEOPLE WALKING AROUND BEING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS NOT HIDING ANYTHING IS IT WISE TO JUST PRETEND AND A SAD THING BUT YOU ARE BEING RECORDED ALL THE TIME?

>> IT IS.

AND I GUESS ONE IMPORTANT THING TO SAY HERE ABOUT THE WIRETAP ACT IT HAS AN INTENT REQUIREMENT.

WHEN YOU ARE JUST WALKING AROUND AND PICKING UP CONVERSATIONS, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO END UP GETTING PROSECUTED FOR A FELONY THAT IS NOT INTENTIONALLY CAPTURING SOMEBODY'S AUDIO.

THAT IS A PART OF ALL OF THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY IS INADVERTENT RECORDING IS NOT GOING TO DRAW YOU INTO THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ACT.

BUT IT DOES BRING A HARD QUESTIONS OF, AGAIN, THERE'S NOTICE RIGHT AND SOME OF THESE GLASSES HAVE LIGHTS THAT LIGHT UP AND SAY YOU ARE BEING RECORDED RIGHT NOW.

AND WHEN IS IT ENOUGH NOTICE TO SAY IT'S REASONABLE TO ASSUME CONSENT?

AND RIGHT NOW I DON'T THINK IT'S CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU TO ASSUME THAT EVEN IF SOMEBODY IS STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU WITH THE LIGHT ON I'M NOT SURE TO SAY THAT IS DEFINITELY CONSENT WITH THE LAW.

>> Jeff: THERE WAS A TV SHOW CALLED CANDID CAMERA AND ON GET SMART SAID THE CONE OF SILENCE ANTICIPATING THE RECORDING DEVICES MIGHT BE EVERYWHERE.

TIME TO BRING THAT BACK.

ATTORNEY JOYCE SMITHEY WORKS OUT OF ANNAPOLIS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: THIS MONTH MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY FOR MPT'S "DIRECT CONNECTION" PROGRAM IT'S BEEN A JOY AND ADVENTURE CONNECTING MPT VIEWERS WITH ALL SORTS OF NEWSMAKERS.

"DIRECT CONNECTION" DEBUTED IN OCTOBER 2001.

THE IDEA WAS TO CONNECT VIEWERS WITH NEWSMAKERS LIKE THE LATE, GREAT, WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER.

>> I WONDER IF YOU CAN COMMENT ON WHAT IMPACT YOU EXPECT ON PEOPLE THAT WOULD PAY THEIR TAXES AND SAY MAYBE I WILL WAIT BECAUSE THERE WILL BE AMNESTY.

>> YOU HEAR THAT?

THE QUESTION DOES IT SEND A MESSAGE TO TAXPAYERS THAT YOU CAN MAYBE FORGET TO SEND SOMETHING IN BECAUSE THEY WILL HAVE TO DO ANOTHER AMNESTY DOWN THE ROAD?

>> WE SAID 14 YEARS AGO WE WEREN'T GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN AND WE DECIDED TO DO IT THIS TIME AND GET CAUGHT UP ON THE TAXES.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN NOT IN MY TIME STHOOR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE SHOWED ON THE ROAD VISITING PLACES THAT ARE NORMALLY OFF LIMITS LIKE ONE OF THE STATE'S BIGGEST MEDICAL CANNABIS FARMS.

WE WENT BOWLING, EXPLAINING DUCK PINS TO NONNATIVES.

>> IT'S TIME TO ASK FOR A RAISE.

>> THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

>> THE MOST TALKED ABOUT SHOW LIVE FROM A POPULAR NUDIST CLUB NOT FAR FROM ANNAPOLIS.

I STAYED FULLY CLOTHED AT THE STATION.

>> WE HAVE A FABULOUS HALLOWEEN DANCE AROUND THE END OF OCTOBER.

WE HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR'S PARTY, SEXUALLY HARRASS PARTY, VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY.

>> Jeff: HALLOWEEN DANCE AT THE NUDIST CLUB, DO YOU WEAR COSTUMES?

>> YEAH, BUT YOU CAN WEAR ANYTHING.

YOU CAN PUT AS MUCH OR LITTLE ON AS YOU WANT.

>> Jeff: OUR TOPICS COULD BE LOCAL, NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL, OR EVEN INTERGALACTIC.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PROCESS OF THE MEASUREMENT TO MEASURE THE DISTANCE OF A STAR.

>> Jeff: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> EDWIN HUBBLE AFTER WHOM OUR TELESCOPE IS NAMED HE DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE DISTANT GALAXIES MOVE AWAY FROM US.

>> Jeff: FOR A LIVE PROGRAM THAT RELIES ON VIEWER CALLS AND E-MAILINGS WE TRULY COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

SO WE THANK OUR VIEWERS LOTS OF GREAT SUPPORT, LOTS OF GREAT QUESTIONS OVER THE YEARS.

WE APPRECIATE THAT AND WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Jeff: AND JOINING US FROM LAUREL PARK IS DAN ILLMAN THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE MARYLAND JOCKEY CLUB.

DAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

MARYLAND MILLION IS COMING UP.

TELL US ABOUT THIS EVENT.

>> SO EXCITED ABOUT THE JIMMY KAY MARYLAND MILITARY THIS SATURDAY.

THE FIRST RACE OF 12.

11:15 IT'S MARYLAND'S DAY AT THE RACES WHERE WE CELEBRATE THE ENTIRE HORSERACING INDUSTRY THAT STATE FROM THE BABIES AND END UP HAVING RACING CAREERS TO THE STALLIONS AND MARES THAT RESIDE HERE.

TO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THE SHOW GO AROUND THE OWNERS, TRAINERS, JOCKEYS AND BREEDERS THE PEOPLE THAT CARE FOR THE REMARKABLE ANIMALS 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK THROUGH GOOD WEATHER AND BAD THIS IS THEIR DAY TO SHINE.

>> Jeff: THE MARYLAND MILLION IS NAMED FOR JIM McKAY TO COME UP WITH THIS IDEA FOUR DECADES AGO?

>> FOUR DECADES AGO COMING BACK FROM THE BREEDERS CUP WHICH IS SORT OF THE WORLD THOROUGHBRED CHAMPIONSHIPS.

HE DECIDED WHY CAN'T MARYLAND HAVE A DAY LIKE THE BREEDERS CUP WHERE HORSES COME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE AND COMPETE ON ONE BIG DAY.

JIM McKAY DECIDED TO SIT DOWN WITH INDUSTRY BIGWIGS AND WE'RE HERE FOR 41 YEARS SATURDAY OF GREAT RACING ACTION.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAVE THE TRENDS BEEN LIKE IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF ENTRANTS THE BETTING HAM AND ALL THAT -- HANDLE AND ALL THAT STUFF.

>> IT WAS STUFFED THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE 150 ENTRIES OVER 12 RACES BIG FULL FIELDS, DEFENDING CHAMPIONS TO RUN AGAIN INCLUDING MARYLAND SOURCED.

HE WON THE MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC LAST YEAR HE IS GOING TO BE THE FAVORITE IN THE BROWN ADVISORY MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC.

HE IS A REMARKABLE STORY.

HE SOLD FOR $5,000 AS A BABY EARNED OVER $1 MILLION IN HIS CAREER HE IS THE TRUE CINDERELLA STORY AND MARYLAND IS GOING TO BE ROOTING HIM FOR SATURDAY.

>> Jeff: HOW MUCH OF A CLAIM TO MARYLAND BREEDING WHAT MARYLAND CONNECTION DOES A HORSE NEED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS RACE?

>> MARYLAND A HORSES THAT ARE SIRED BY A MARYLAND STALLION AND REGISTERED TO RUN IN THE MARYLAND MILLION THEY GET FIRST PREFERENCE IN THE RACES IF THEY ARE RACES WHERE THERE ARE LESS THAN EIGHT HORSES IN A RACE HORSES THAT ARE MARYLAND BRED AND BRED HERE IN MARYLAND BUT MIGHT BE BY A SIRE IN KENTUCKY OR NEW YORK OR JAPAN.

THEY ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE.

BUT THIS IS FOR THE HORSES THAT ARE BASICALLY CELEBRATING THE BREEDERS, THE STALLIONS HERE IN MARYLAND.

THE BEST STALLION WAS PENSIONED THAT IS GREAT NOTION AND WE HAVE NEW ON THE HORIZON, POST TIME WAS SECOND IN LAST YEAR'S MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC.

>> Jeff: SO FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AT THE WINNERS CIRCLE AT LAUREL PARK, HOW IS THE BROADER INDUSTRY DOING?

THIS RACE WAS DESIGNED TO HELP BOOST THE INDUSTRY.

THE BREEDING, THE TRAINING COMPONENTS OF IT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

>> I REALLY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF IMPROVEMENTS IN THE TRAINING ASPECT AND THE WORKOUT.

THE HORSES ARE STAYING IN TRAINING LONGER AT LEAST IN MARYLAND.

WICKED PRANKSTER RUNNING, THEY SAY FATHER TIME HAS UNBEATEN.

HE WON THE RACE TWO YEARS IN A ROW AND HE SEEMS ABLELESS HE WILL BE ON THE TRACK SATURDAY.

IT SEEMS IN THE WAGERING INDUSTRY BASED ON ECONOMY.

SOMETIMES WE'RE UP AND SOMETIMES DOWN.

WHEN YOU PUT ON A GOOD PRODUCT LIKE SATURDAY, BIG FIELDS CLASSY HORSES THE EYES OF THE STATE ON THE LAUREL PARK FACILITY AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T BEAT THE PRICE.

FREE ADMISSION FOR A SPORTING EVENT A MAJOR SPORTING EVENT.

COME TO LAUREL PARK ON SATURDAY AND ENJOY.

>> Jeff: YOU MENTIONED THE MILLION MARYLAND -- MARYLAND MILLION TURF IS THAT A SEPARATE RACE AND IT'S RUN ON THE TURF COURSE WHICH IS BEYOND THE DIRT TRACK BEHIND YOU.

>> THAT IS CORRECT WE HAVE 12 RACES THE BROWN ADVISORY MARYLAND MILLION CLASSIC IS THE MAJOR RACE AND THAT WILL BE COMPETED ON THE DIRT COURSE.

BUT THE JOHN DEERE TURF IS FOR HORSES THAT SPECIALIZE RUNNING ON THE GRASS COURSE.

YOU WILL HAVE HORSES GOOD AND 0 THE DIRT BUT BETTER ON THE TURF.

WE'LL SEE HORSES FROM EVERY DIVISION WHETHER IT WE THE BABIES, THE TWO-YEAR-OLD MALES AND THE TWO-YEAR-OLD FEMALES HAVE THEIR OWN RACE.

SPRINTERS ON THE TURF.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IF YOU ARE A HANDICAPPER OR RACING FAN ON MARYLAND MILLION DAY AND WE HAVE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS IN THESE RACES.

THE TURF SPRINT IS A SENSATIONAL RACE.

YOU HAVE WITTY PRIOR WINNERS TAKING ON WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN WHO TRIED THIS RACE AND HAS COME UP SHORT EACH TIME.

A LOT OF VERY COMPETITIVE RACES AND A LOT OF COMPELLING STORIES AS WELL.

>> Jeff: PROBABLY PEOPLE WATCHING WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO A RACETRACK FOR A LONGTIME.

SO WHAT IS DIFFERENT THESE DAYS WHAT IS MAYBE DIFFERENT ON THE MARYLAND MILLION DAY IN TERMS OF OTHER ACTIVITIES GOING ON?

>> WELL, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER IN THE OLD DAYS IF YOU COME OUT TO THE TRACK THERE WOULD BE LONG LINES AND PLACE YOUR BETS EARLY BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO GET SHUTOUT.

NOWADAYS THERE ARE PLENTY OF SELF SERVICE WINDOWS VERY EASY TO ACCESS AND VERY EASY TO USE.

PLACE YOUR BET THERE.

CASH YOUR BET THERE ON A VOUCHER AND WHEN IT'S TIME TO CASH IN, THEN YOU CAN G TO THE TELLER IT'S OKAY TO WAIT IF YOU MADE A BUNDLE.

>> Jeff: YOU ADVISE NOT RUSHING TO THE WINNERS, SAVORING THE TICKET FOR A WHILE.

>> SAVOR IT BUT DON'T LOSE IT.

I WOULD CASH IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS HAPPENING AT PIMLICO, THE STATE IS PUTTING IN HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS FOR A REBUILD.

SHOULD BE READY FOR THE PREAKNESS NEXT YEAR OR NO?

>> IT WILL BE READY ARE NOT PREAKNESS IN 2027.

WE WON'T HAVE THE GRANDSTAND BUT EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE UP AT PREAKNESS IN 2027 WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE PREAKNESS HOME TO BALTIMORE.

I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE TO HEAD TO BALTIMORE AND WITNESS THE CONSTRUCTION THE PREAKNESS BARNS ARE COMPETED.

THE STAKES BARNSES ARE COMPLETED.

THE SUNLE FROM THE CLUBHOUSE TO THE ICONIC INFIELD IS COMPLETED.

THE TRACKS ARE GOING TO BE WORKED ON AND THE PADDOCK WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO BE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL THEY ARE WORKING ON IT RIGHT NOW.

EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE LET'S HOPE THE WEATHER PLAYS NICE WITH US OVER THE WINTERTIME AND WE WILL HAVE THE PREAKNESS IN BALTIMORE IN 2027.

>> Jeff: AND THE PLAN IS TO RETURN REGULAR RACING TO LAUREL PARK WHILE EVERYTHING IS FINISHED UP IN BALTIMORE.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY WHERE YOU'RE STANDING IS GOING TO BE SORT OF A PRACTICE AND TRAINING FACILITY?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

ONCE THE GRANDSTAND IS FINISHED AND CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETED AT PIMLICO ALL RACING IN THE STATE WILL MOVE TO PIMLICO.

IF YOU ARE NOT FANS OF LAUREL PARK AND THE HISTORIANS THAT ENJOY THE GREAT RACES AND HORSES THAT COMPETED HERE AT LAUREL PARK IT WILL BE A STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING FACILITY.

THE HORSES WILL BE STABLED HERE AND SHIP IN BY VAN TO PIMLICO AND COME BACK TO LAUREL PARK AND STAY HERE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO DISRUPT THE TRAINING.

THIS FACILITY IS VERY, VERY SAFE AND HELD RACING FOR A LONGTIME.

THEY WILL GET FIT TRAINING AND SHIP AND RUN TO PIMLICO.

>> Jeff: AND ON THE TOPIC OF SAFETY WHEN YOU ARE REDOING THE TRACK AT PIMLICO, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE WITH SAFETY IN MIND TO PROTECT THE HORSES AND PROTECT THE JOCKEYS AS WELL?

>> WE HAVE A VERY GREAT STAFF HERE WHETHER IT'S EMS OR VETERINARIANS THEY ARE ON-SITE EVERYDAY THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE HORSES AND CHECK THEM EVERY MORNING TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY TO GO.

IF THERE'S ANY RED FLAG THOSE HORSES DO NOT RACE ANDFY SITUATIONS ON THE RACETRACK WE HAVE THE EMT'S HERE AND THE VETS HERE.

THESE JOCKEYS IN MY OPINION THEY HAVE THE BRAVEST ATHLETES ON THE EARTH.

THEY ARE TRAVELING AT GREAT SPEEDS AND ABLE TO MESH THEIR ABILITIES IT IS REMARKABLE AND THE SAFETY RECORD AT LAUREL PARK I WOULD PUT UP WITH ANY RACETRACK IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON JOCKEYING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY?

WE'VE SEEN THE OWNERS OF THE DERBY AND THE BELMONT ANNOUNCE A NEW SERIES OF RACES THAT INCLUDES THE DERBY AND THE BELMONT AND DOES NOT INCLUDE THE PREAKNESS.

HOW BIG A DEAL COULD THAT BE?

>> I DON'T REALLY THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AS BIG DEAL.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HORSERACING YOU THINK OF THE TRIPLE CROWN IT IS THE KENTUCKY DERBY THE PREAKNESS AND THE BELMONT AND THE MOST IMPORTANT LEG IN MY OPINION IS THE PREAKNESS WITHOUT THE PREAKNESS THE BRIDGED IMMORTALITY THE BELMONT STAKES THERE IS NO TRIPLE CROWN WINNER.

YOU CAN CHASE MONEY AND BONUSES ALL YOU WANT.

BUT YOU CAN'T CHASE IMMORTALITY.

WE'VE BEEN CHASING AND THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY HERE WHERE YOU CAN BE LIKE SECRETARIAT OR SIR BARTON OR SEATTLE SLEW.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY IS TO WIN THE TRIPLE CROWN.

>> Jeff: BACK TO THE MARYLAND MILLION BEFORE WE GO, CERTAINLY NOBODY CAN IMITATE JIM McKAY BUT HIS IDEA FOR THIS STATE-FOCUSED RACE HAS BEEN IMITATED IN OTHER PLACES, HAS IT NOT?

>> CERTAINLY HAS BEEN.

WE SEE BIG RACING DAYS IN NEW YORK, BIG RACING DAYS IN OHIO ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY DEDICATED TO THE STATE BRED PROGRAMS THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO THE INDUSTRY BUT TO THE ECONOMY IN THE STATE.

THIS REALLY IS THE BLUEPRINT AND IT'S DONE RIGHT BY MARYLAND MILLION AND IT'S BEEN COPIED AND DONE RIGHT BY MANY STATES.

THE JIM McKAY MARYLAND MILLION IS THE ORIGINAL MALL.

>> DAN ILLMAN SIR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS JOIN US FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER YOU CAN SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS THEY ARE ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND ALSO ON THE FREE PBS APP.

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

CLOSED CAPTIONING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MARYLAND RELAY, EMPOWERING THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING OR SPEECH DISABLED TO STAY CONNECTED BY PHONE.