Rosecroft Raceway
Location | 6336 Rosecroft Drive Fort Washington, Maryland, United States |
---|---|
Owned by | The Stronach Group |
Date opened | May 26, 1949; August 25, 2011 |
Date closed | July 1, 2010 |
Race type | Harness racing |
Notable races | Maryland Sire Stakes |
Live racing handle | $842,763 (2011)[1] |
Attendance | 135,138 (2009)[2] |
Official website |
Rosecroft Raceway, nicknamed the "Raceway by the Beltway" for being close to
Rosecroft was sold to Mark Vogel in 1987. Vogel made several mistakes that hurt the horse racing industry in Maryland. Three years later, he was arrested for possession of
Throughout Rosecroft's history, it has featured notable races. From 1984 to 1988, it hosted segments of the
History
Miller family: 1947–1987
In September 1947, a meeting was held about bringing a harness racetrack to Maryland, specifically Prince George's County,[3] and Rosecroft was chosen to be the site.[4] William E. Miller—a future harness racing Immortal[5] and horse breeder—founded Rosecroft Raceway in 1949.[6][7] It was the first raceway to be owned by horse owners, horse trainers, and jockeys.[6] Rosecroft was originally the WE Miller Stables and was located next to the Rosecroft Stock Farm, where horses were bred.[8] The racetrack cost $800,000 to construct and was "first class in every respect".[9] The Washington Post estimated a crowd of 12,000 on its opening day of May 26, 1949, but rain cancelled the races.[10] Rosecroft's first night of racing was May 27, 1949 when 6,000 people showed up and $164,501 was wagered.[11] The handle was the second-highest ever recorded for a night trotting track on an opening night.[10]
For years, Rosecroft Raceway held an annual sale of yearling Standardbred horses. It hosted the annual Maryland Sire Stake Races to promote the best of Maryland-bred horses.[12] When Rosecroft opened, it became the political and social center for Prince George's County, Maryland.[13] Each year during the Miller era, several thousand people traveled from across the country to wager on and watch the horses.[14][15] In 1953, Rosecroft's attendance of 192,585 was the highest among all harness tracks in Maryland.[16] Owners, trainers, and drivers from across the United States moved their farms to Maryland in the 1950s following the opening of Rosecroft, hoping to compete with the best horses.[17]
In 1954, William E. Miller died from a heart attack while driving a horse at Harrington Raceway. After Miller's death, Rosecroft hosted the William E. Miller Memorial race.[18] Over the years, this race attracted several notable horses, including Cam's Card Shark, the 1994 Horse of the Year.[19][20][21] John W. Miller, William's son, owned Rosecroft until his death in 1969.[22] In 1961, the owners of Rosecroft resurfaced and regraded the track.[23] Following John, Earle Brown owned the racetrack. John Wager, Maryland's all-time most winning driver, started to work at Rosecroft in 1974.[9] Earle Brown moved to a different position at the racetrack in 1980 and William E. Miller II, William E. Miller's grandson, took over operations.[13]
In 1984, the Hambletonian Society created the Breeders Crown, a traveling series of races to showcase the best 2-year-old and 3-year-old horses throughout North American and Canada.[24][25] In the inaugural year, Rosecroft was awarded with a race.[25] Rosecroft hosted the 2-Year-Old Pace of the 1985 Breeders Crown, where Robust Hanover won.[26]
Mark Vogel: 1987–1990
Mark Vogel, a Maryland
According to
Starting in 1990, Rosecroft Raceway hosted the
Weisman's Colt Enterprises: 1991–1995
In 1991, two people were interested in buying the track: Fred Weisman, a California businessman, and former National Football League player Mark May. Weisman out-bid May and purchased Rosecroft out of bankruptcy for $18.2 million.[38] On November 23 of the same year, the grandstand caught fire a few hours before live racing began.[39] In Weisman's first full season of operations, Rosecroft experienced a 10.5 percent increase in handle and an 8.3 percent increase in attendance.[40] In 1992, Western Hanover, the richest horse of that year, won two of the three Triple Crown races, including the Messenger Stakes at Rosecroft.[41] Rosecroft Raceway went into the record books on October 10, 1992, when a three-horse dead heat occurred in the seventh race. It was the 17th time in harness-racing history and the first time in Maryland history.[42]
The new grandstand was completed for $3.6 million in 1993. Since Rosecroft had expanded its simulcasting rights,[43] the new grandstand incorporated large-screen televisions and betting windows.[44] For the 1993 season, Rosecroft's officials decided to stop hosting the five stake races—The Potomac, the Lady Baltimore, The Terrapan, The Turtle Dove, and The North American—inherited when Freestate Raceway closed. The handle was decreasing, and the officials could not afford the purses for the races.[45] To help increase the handle, Maryland racetrack officials voted to allow inter-track simulcasting between all Maryland tracks and authorized off-track betting parlors throughout the state.[46]
In September 1994, Weisman died from pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles, and his relatives took over the racetrack.[47] Although attendance and handle were increasing, the owners were losing money. Reports by independent auditors stated Rosecroft and Ocean Downs combined to lose $1.1 million in fiscal year (FY) 1992, $1.4 million in FY 1993, and $6.2 million in FY 1994.[48][49][50] According to Rosecroft's racing official Allan Levey, Weisman's relatives did not want to operate the track and their only goal was to sell it.[51] For the 1995 season, Rosecroft could not afford the payment to host five stake races—including the Messenger Stakes—and dropped them from the racing schedule.[52][53]
Cloverleaf Enterprises: 1995–2010
Throughout 1995, Rosecroft was forced to cut costs. Its owners lowered the amount of purse money, eliminated stake races, and reduced the number of racing days. They decided to sell both Rosecroft and Ocean Downs to Cloverleaf Enterprises, a horseman's organization, in mid-1995 for $11 million.
In 1994, the
In the 2000s, Cloverleaf tried to sell Rosecroft multiple times. In mid-2002, several buyers became interested in the track, but Cloverleaf was involved in
Cloverleaf announced Rosecroft would close on July 1, 2010.[67][68] Live racing ended in 2009,[69] and the track only had simulcasts as revenue from off-track betting.[67] After several of the surrounding states legalized casinos, Rosecroft was unable to continue as a successful business.[70] Cloverleaf Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2009.[71] Mark Vogel loaned the track $350,000 and offered to buy the track, but a bankruptcy court judge refused to approve the plan.[68] Rosecroft officials had hoped that the Maryland General Assembly would approve legislation allowing casino-style gambling at Rosecroft, but that did not occur.[67] In early June 2010, Cloverleaf filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.[68]
Penn National Gaming: 2011–2016
In January 2011, Penn National Gaming bought Rosecroft for $10.25 million.[72] Penn National said it planned to return live racing and simulcast wagering to the track as well as pushing for changes in Maryland gaming laws allowing slots and table games.[73] Penn National said it was hoping to convince the state to allow slot machines at the track, even though voters did not approve Prince George's County as a gambling location.[74] On July 28, 2011, the Maryland Racing Commission agreed to allow Penn National Gaming to secure a $1.4 million line of credit to cover operating losses at Rosecroft for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.[74] Penn National said it was likely to incur $2.3 million in losses through 2013.[75]
Penn National wanted Rosecroft to begin simulcasting races in late August 2011.
An agreement on simulcasting of harness and
A bill was introduced into the Maryland General Assembly in 2012 which would allow a casino in Prince George's County. The two likely spots were National Harbor or Rosecroft.[80] The bill passed the Senate, but the House did not vote on it.[81] The bill was passed and signed by the Governor in August 2012 to allow a casino in Prince George's County, which was passed via referendum in November 2012.[82][83] After one season of live racing, Penn National and Cloverleaf reached an agreement to extend live racing at Rosecroft for the next two years. The only exception is if National Harbor becomes the location for the Prince George's County casino.[84]
Stronach Group: 2016-present
In May 2016, the Stronach Group purchased Rosecroft Raceway for an undisclosed sum. The purchase closed on August 2, 2016. Stronach Group said it would make some cosmetic improvements to the racing facilities, and then begin an evaluation to see what long-term improvements it might make.[85]
Non-horse racing activities
Besides horse racing, Rosecroft has allowed other activities. The Old School Boxing Gym is located there,
Construction
Rosecroft was built in 1949 on 125 acres (51 ha).
Prominent visitors
- Thomas D'Alesandro, former member of the United States House of Representatives[13]
- Zsa Zsa Gabor, Hungarian actress[101]
- boxer
- Parris Glendening, former Governor of Maryland[102]
- Lyndon B. Johnson, former president of the United States[101]
- House Majority Leader[13]
- United States Senator[13]
- Elizabeth Taylor, British actress[101]
Track records
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Stallion | All Bets Off | November 22, 2016 | 1:48.2 |
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Notes
- ^ Maryland Racing Commission 2011, p. 14
- ^ a b Maryland Racing Commission 2010, p. 14
- ^ "Harness Race Hearings Set". The Baltimore Sun. September 11, 1947. p. 11.
- ^ "Oxon Hill Ok'd by Race Board". The Washington Post. March 6, 1949. p. C2.
- ^ "Immortals L – Po". Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2011-09-11. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Branch-Miles, Thomas & Woods 2005, p. 108
- ^ Evans 1976, p. 81
- ^ Branch-Miles, Thomas & Woods 2005, p. 109
- ^ a b c McKenna, Dave (December 16, 2011). "Rosecroft's Long Shot". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on 2012-01-05. Retrieved April 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Bojarski, Tim (May 30, 2012). "Happy Birthday, Rosecroft Raceway". Hoof Beats. United States Trotting Association. Archived from the original on 2014-05-06. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ "New Harness Track Opens". Middletown Times Herald. May 28, 1949. p. 12.
- ^ Branch-Miles, Thomas & Woods 2005, p. 111
- ^ a b c d e Miller II, William (January 2011). "Remembering Rosecroft". The Horseman & Fair World: 16–19. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ "Betting and Attendance at Rosecroft Raceway well Ahead of Last Year". The Baltimore Sun. May 28, 1951. p. 18.
- ^ "Trot Meets Set Records". The Baltimore Sun. December 6, 1963. p. S10.
- ^ "Brandywine Second in Attendance". Wilmington Sunday Star. December 6, 1953. p. 37. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
- ^ "Maryland Ready for Harness Racing". Cumberland Evening Times. May 16, 1950. p. 18.
- ^ "Big Race Set at Rosecroft". The Baltimore Sun. December 26, 1954. p. 6D.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (May 15, 1994). "Cam's Card Shark Ties Record in Miller Pace". The Washington Post. p. D13.
- ^ "Favorite in Cane Pace Runs Far from Perfect". The New York Times. August 29, 1994. Archived from the original on 2013-11-13. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
- ^ "Cam's Card Shark" (PDF). Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 23, 2013. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
- ^ "Harness Track President John W. Miller, Dies at 58". The Baltimore Sun. May 8, 1969. p. A21.
- ^ "Grand Circuit to Stop at Rosecroft Next Week". The Free Lance-Star. May 26, 1962. p. 8.
- ^ "The Breeders Crown History: 1948–2012". Hambletonian Society. Archived from the original on 2012-11-07. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Breeders Crown Host Tracks" (PDF). The Harness Edge. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ Clippinger, Don (December 27, 1985). "Garden State Gets Harness Series". The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. C7.
- ^ Bergstein, Stanley (November 23, 1987). "Rosecroft Sold, Present Management Team to Remain" (PDF). Weekly Track Topics. Harness Tracks of America: 2. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (February 19, 1988). "Vogel Plans New Grandstand, Bigger Track at Rosecroft". The Washington Post. p. C3.
- ^ a b Nowakowski, Jack (August 9, 1989). "Vogel Eyes Simulcast of Rosecroft Races". The Washington Post. p. F10.
- ^ Smith, C. Fraser (October 2, 1990). "Vogel, in Debt, Seeks to Sell 2 Tracks". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
- ^ Perrone, Vinnie (January 31, 1990). "It's Final: Freestate Is No More; Commission Grants Request to Transfer '90 Dates to Rosecroft". The Washington Post. p. F10.
- ^ Snider, Rick (October 3, 1990). "Vogel should have Focused more on the Horse Business". The Washington Times. p. D4.
- Observer-Reporter. p. C1. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (July 21, 1990). "Rich Potomac makes Debut at Rosecroft". The Washington Post. p. D9.
- ^ United States Trotting Association 2012, p. 25
- ^ "Track Owner Vogel, Arrested on Cocaine Charges, Leaves". The Baltimore Sun. September 23, 1990. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ^ "Vogel's Real Estate Partnership Files for Bankruptcy Protection". The Free Lance–Star. September 27, 1990. p. 33. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
- ^ Snider, Rick (June 4, 1991). "Weisman's $18.2 Million Bid for Rosecroft Accepted". The Washington Times. p. D4.
- ^ Armacost, Elisa; Peddicord, Ross (November 24, 1991). "4 Hurt Battling 3-alarm Blaze at Oxon Hill Track Rosecroft Raceway Grandstand Damaged". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ Nowaskowski, Jack (May 19, 1992). "Rosecroft Has Upswing in Recent Meet; Handle, Attendance both Up from 1991". The Washington Post. p. E7.
- ^ "Sidelines: Western Hanover Wins". Observer-Reporter. September 13, 1992. p. C5.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (October 12, 1992). "Three Horses in Dead Heat at Rosecroft". The Washington Post. p. B12.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (December 8, 1993). "Rosecroft to Expand Simulcast Network". The Washington Post. p. B9.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (December 28, 1993). "Grand Opening for Rosecroft's Stands". The Washington Post. p. E8.
- ^ Nowakowski, Jack (September 1, 1992). "Rosecroft to Drop Five Stakes Races". The Washington Post. p. E7.
- ^ Peddicord, Ross (October 4, 1993). "Tracks Pull on Simulcast Handle OTB, Intertrack Boosting Betting for Laurel, Pimlico". The Baltimore Sun. p. 10C.
- ^ Perrone, Vinnie (September 15, 1994). "Owner of Rosecroft, Delmarva Dies; Without Weisman, Future of Maryland Harness Tracks a Mystery". The Washington Post. p. B8.
- ^ Perrone, Vinnie (March 19, 1994). "Harness Handles Up, Losses Down; But Audit Puts Rosecroft–Delmarva Deficit at $1.4 Million". The Washington Post. p. G9.
- ^ Perrone, Vinnie (May 12, 1994). "Harness Tracks Report a Losing Trend". The Washington Post. p. D8.
- ^ a b Perrone, Vinnie (April 1, 1995). "Closing of Rosecroft Threatened for June; Owners Say Horsemen must Buy the Track". The Washington Post. p. H8.
- ^ a b Perrone, Vinnie (March 18, 1995). "Rosecroft Owners May File for Bankruptcy". The Washington Post. p. H10.
- ^ "Rosecroft Raceway Can't Afford Messenger Stakes". Los Angeles Times. March 29, 1995. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- ^ Nowakiwski, Jack (March 24, 1995). "Five Major Races Gone At Rosecroft". The Washington Post. p. B10.
- ^ McCalley, Mark (December 7, 2011). "Maryland Horse Racing's Last Legs?". Capital News Service. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ^ Maryland Racing Commission 2005, p. 14
- ^ Perrone, Vinnie (June 30, 1995). "Maryland Board Approves Sale; Casino and Racing Groups Team to Buy Rosecroft, Delmarva". The Washington Post. p. B9.
- ^ "Delaware". American Gaming Association. Archived from the original on 2012-05-16. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
- ^ "Delaware Gaming Summary". University of Nevada, Las Vegas. June 22, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ "And They're Off! Video Lottery at Delaware Racetracks". Delaware Lottery. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
- ^ Perrone, Vinnie; Nowakowski, Jack (February 1, 1996). "Rosecroft Trying to Stay Ahead of the Game; New Season Starts Gloomily With Competition From Dover, Difficulties Filling Live Cards". The Washington Post. p. D1.
- ^ Snyder, Rick (February 16, 1996). "Facing an estimated wagering loss of $80 million". The Washington Times. p. B6.
- ^ Snyder, Rick (February 22, 1996). "Bill to allow slot machines at Md. tracks might be presented today, sources say". The Washington Times. p. B5.
- ^ Mosher, James (April 11, 2006). "Slots in Md. Still a Possibility?". Daily Record. p. 1.
- ^ a b Sanelli 2008, p. 2
- ^ Keyser, Tom (February 18, 2005). "Angelos' Family Withdraws Offer for Rosecroft". The Blood-Horse. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ a b "Frequently Asked Questions". Maryland Lottery. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ a b c Cho, Hanah (June 16, 2010). "Rosecroft Raceway to Close July 1". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ a b c Robbins, Lindsey (June 18, 2010). "Bankrupt Rosecroft Raceway's Finish Line is July 1". Maryland Gazette. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
- ^ "Penn National Gaming Seeks Approval to Return Live Standardbred Racing and Year-Round Simulcasting to Rosecroft Raceway in July". Business Wire. May 6, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ^ Scheinman, John (July 26, 2008). "Thoroughbred Unlikely but Possible at Rosecroft" (PDF). Thoroughbred Times. 24 (20): 2.
- ^ Robbins, Lindsey (June 11, 2009). "Rosecroft Raceway, Citing Capital Needs, Files for Bankruptcy". Maryland Gazette. Retrieved July 18, 2012.
- ^ "Penn National Gaming to Buy Rosecroft". The Blood-Horse. Associated Press. January 29, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ^ Cho, Hanah (January 28, 2011). "Penn National to pay $10.25 million for Rosecroft Raceway". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
- ^ a b c Walker, Andrea (July 29, 2011). "Rosecroft to Resume Racing in Three Weeks". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
- ^ Robbins, Lindsey (July 14, 2011). "Panel Approves Rosecroft Racing—With Strings". Maryland Gazette. Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
- ^ Berkheimer, George (July 5, 2011). "Penn National Parts With Jockey Club, Will Focus on Rosecroft". The Business Monthly. Archived from the original on 2011-09-21. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ Wagner, John (August 7, 2011). "As Budget Challenges Persist, Prince George's Rethinks Casino Gambling". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
- ^ Wagner, John (August 20, 2011). "Rosecroft Raceway to Reopen Thursday". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
- ^ Liu, Mimi (September 1, 2011). "Rosecroft Raceway Draws Hundreds on Reopening Day". Maryland Gazette. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
- ^ Wagner, John (March 27, 2012). "Maryland Senate Approves Casino Bill". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
- ^ "Senate Bill 892". Maryland General Assembly. June 26, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
- ^ Lambert, Jack (August 15, 2012). "Maryland Casinos: How the State's Gaming Industry Could Change". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
- ^ Bell, Brad; Gonzalez, John (November 7, 2012). "Maryland Gambling Question 7 Passes". WJLA-TV. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
- ^ "Penn National—CSOA Announce Contract Extension". Rosecroft Raceway. August 7, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Gordon, Joshua (May 16, 2016). "Pimlico owner Stronach Group to purchase Rosecroft Raceway". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- ^ a b Policastro, Jason (July 8, 2010). "Refusing to Throw in the Towel". Maryland Gazette. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ Williams, Gary (December 14, 2009). "Update on December 19 Card at Rosecroft Raceway". Boxing Along the Beltway. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ "P. Brown Looks to Progress at Rosecroft Event". The Washington Post. May 18, 2007. p. E2.
- ^ Goldstein, Alan (July 15, 1969). "Foreman Knocks out Dullaire". The Baltimore Sun. p. C1.
- ^ "Seth Mitchell". BoxRec. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
- ^ Naji-Allah, Khalid (June 25, 2009). "All-Female Boxing Card Held at Rosecroft". The Washington Informer. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ "Cycles at Rosecroft". The Baltimore Sun. April 19, 1974. p. C6.
- ^ "46th Annual Cherry Blossom Rugby Tournament". National Cherry Blossom Festival. Archived from the original on 2012-04-04. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ^ The Innovation Group 2011, p. 1
- ^ Branch-Miles, Thomas & Woods 2005, pp. 109–110
- ^ a b "Penn National Gaming Inc (PENN.O)". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 17, 2009. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- ^ Penn National Gaming. Retrieved May 9, 2012.
- ^ "Vincent Win Five on Saturday Night". Rosecroft Raceway. May 12, 2012. Archived from the original on 2015-09-05. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ISSN 0888-1022.
- ^ Solomon, Ruben & Aloisi 2007, p. 286
- ^ a b c Snider, Rick (October 22, 2011). "Rick Snider: There's No Safe Bet at Rosecroft Raceway". The Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on 2012-07-28. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
- ^ Branch-Miles, Thomas & Woods 2005, p. 110
- ^ a b "Rosecroft Raceway Track Records". Rosecroft Raceway. Retrieved May 27, 2012.
References
- Branch-Miles, Nathania; Thomas, Jane; Woods, Beverly (2005). Fort Washington. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-4206-5.
- Evans, Donald (1976). Hanover: The Greatest Name in Harness Racing. South Brunswick, NJ: AS Barnes. ISBN 978-0-498-01694-3.
- Maryland Racing Commission (2005). Eighty-Sixth Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Maryland Racing Commission. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
- Maryland Racing Commission (2010). Ninety-First Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Maryland Racing Commission. Retrieved July 11, 2012.
- Maryland Racing Commission (2011). Ninety-Second Annual Report (PDF) (Report). Maryland Racing Commission. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- Sanelli, Michael (2008). Task Force to Study Thoroughbred Horse Racing at Rosecroft Raceway: Analysis (PDF) (Report). Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- Solomon, Mary; Ruben, Barbara; Aloisi, Rebecca (2007). Insiders' Guide to Washington, D.C. Vol. 3 (7th ed.). Globe Pequot. ISBN 978-0-7627-4410-7.
- The Innovation Group (September 2011). Rosecroft Raceway Gaming Market Assessment (PDF) (Report). The Innovation Group. Retrieved July 2, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- United States Trotting Association (2012). The 2012 Trotting and Pacing Guide. Columbus, OH: United States Trotting Association.
38°47′43″N 76°57′36″W / 38.79528°N 76.96000°W