Laurel, MD -- (Sports Network) - Following a one year absence the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Dash is returning to the racing schedule at Laurel Park. The Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association have agreed to the live racing dates and stakes schedule for the remainder of 2009 in Maryland.

Laurel Park will commence its 11-day summer meet on Saturday, August 1 and conclude Sunday, August 23. Live racing will take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for three straight weeks following the opening weekend. Friday's first post will be at 3:35 P.M. (et).

"Racing in August was significant to the horsemen and bringing back the De Francis Dash to headline the fall meet was just as important to us," said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. "We are hopeful the Friday, Saturday, Sunday format in August, coupled with our first- class turf course, will breathe life into the mini-meet."

Thoroughbred racing then shifts to the Timonium State Fair for seven days. Laurel Park begins its 14-week fall meet on Saturday, September 12. Racing will be held on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons until December 19.

The highlight of the 57-day fall meet will be the 24th annual Maryland Million on September 26.

The De Francis Dash, begun in 1990, was not conducted last year because of a purse account shortfall. The six-furlong race has historically featured some of the top sprinters in the country. Four of the 18 winners, Housebuster (1991), Cherokee Run (1994), Smoke Glacken (1997) and Thor's Echo (2006), earned that year's Eclipse Award as champion sprinter. Benny the Bull won the 2007 renewal and was last year's champion male sprinter.

The dates and stakes schedule for the summer and fall meets were approved by the Maryland Racing Commission and will be officially ratified at the next meeting on Tuesday, July 21, according to Mike Hopkins, executive director of the commission.