Baltimore

Letter to the Editor: Fred Pope

There are a lot of opinions about the Triple Crown. Most of them center on the Preakness and the spacing of the three races. In my opinion, the Preakness is the victim of the Kentucky Derby's success, or as T.D. Thornton said so well in his article June 12: "Underscoring how the Derby itself is devolving into a be-all/end-all, one-shot endeavor at the expense of the Triple Crown race that follows it, for the first time in 75 years, Mage was the only horse out of the Derby to enter...

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The Week In Review: So Many Storylines On Preakness Day But None Bigger Than Another Tragedy

There was an exciting race, a thrilling stretch duel between winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and runner-up Blazing Sevens (Good Magic), and the first-ever win in the GI Preakness S. by classy Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. And think what you want of Bob Baffert, but his winning the first Triple Crown race he entered since the suspensions and bans had ended was a compelling chapter to this story. The man sure can train a race horse. But those stories will start to drift away as we head to...

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This Side Up: How To Make The Crown Fit Again

Nostalgia, they say, isn't quite what it used to be. In times past, it was not so much a wistful state of mind as an outright medical condition. The Union Army in the first two years of the Civil War reported precisely 2,588 cases, no fewer than 13 of which proved fatal. And I must admit to some concern that this may in fact be the version to which I am destined to succumb, nailed into the same coffin as the five-week Triple Crown. The whole premise of nostalgia is...

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After Preakness, Maryland Racing Will Return To Laurel, But For How Long?

Pimlico, the home of a Triple Crown race, is rundown and needs to be torn down and rebuilt. Its sister track, Laurel isn't in much better shape. To have two tracks in such condition does not make for a sustainable model for the future of Maryland racing, a problem that track owners and politicians have been trying solve for more than a decade. But the latest round of give-and-take appears to have yielded a solution. Money once earmarked for a rebuild of both Pimlico and Laurel is expected to be...

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First Mission Works Ahead of Preakness

Godolphin's First Mission (Street Sense), the runaway winner of the GIII Lexington S., completed his final major work Saturday ahead of next Saturday's GI Preakness S. at Pimlico. The colt covered five furlongs in :59.20 early yesterday morning at Churchill Downs. "He's lightly raced, but I liked what I saw of him all winter and into the Lexington," said trainer Brad Cox. "He bounced out of it in good shape and he's got a lot of talent. I'm looking forward to giving him a swing at a Grade I." Runner...

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Blazing Sevens Sharp in Final Pre-Preakness Work

Rodeo Creek Racing's GISW Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) breezed five furlongs over the Belmont main track in his final serious move ahead of the May 20 GI Preakness S. at Pimlico Saturday. Blazing Sevens, who visited the track following the renovation break around 9:00 a.m., worked in company with stakes-winning stablemate Artorius [1:00.18], completing the trip in 1:00.02 over the fast main track. Blazing Sevens was accompanied by Irad Ortiz, Jr. who also rode the Chad Brown trainee in his latest start, a third-place finish in the Apr. 8 GI...

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Derby Winner Mage Confirmed For Preakness Start

Last Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) is officially headed to Baltimore for the May 20 GI Preakness S. His connections made the announcement via Twitter Friday morning. "Very excited, he's had a magnificent week of training," said co-owner Ramiro Restrepo. "He's shown all the positive signs." The ownership group, which also includes OGMA Investments, Sterling Racing and CMNWLTH, confirmed the colt's participation in the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course following his Friday morning training session in which he warmed up in the...

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Big Ass Fans To Sponsor Maryland Sprint On Preakness Day

Big Ass Fans will sponsor the GIII Maryland Sprint on Preakness S. day at Pimlico Race Course May 20. As part of the sponsorship, Big Ass Fans will have a significant presence at the event, with its logo prominently displayed throughout the racecourse. In addition, Big Ass Fans will provide cooling solutions for both the horses and spectators. "We are thrilled to be a part of such a prestigious event," said Hunter Harris of Big Ass Fans. "The Preakness S. is a celebration of the very best in horse racing,...

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Pre-Preakness Party to Benefit TAA

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has again been named the beneficiary of America's Best Racing's Pre-Preakness Party, which will be held May 17 at the Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore. Tickets for the eighth annual event are $25, which includes one drink ticket, snacks, access to racing personalities and networking opportunities for race fans. There will also be a silent auction to benefit TAA and a handicapping contest. Tickets are available online at: www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-pre-preakness-party-by-thoroughbred-aftercare-alliance-abr-tickets-596988597967

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Johnson Wins Preakness Art Contest

Justin Johnson has been named the winner of the second annual Preakness Art of Racing contest. Johnson's original illustration titled "The Face of Victory" was selected by a panel of judges from among the 207 submissions, each of which depicted the extraordinary elements of Thoroughbred horse racing and the Preakness S. The winning artwork was announced at a ceremony in the Brown Center at the Maryland Institute College of Art. In attendance were Senior Advisor of Art & Culture for the City of Baltimore Tonya Miller, MICA dignitaries, Park Heights...

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Bruno Mars to Headline Preakness Live

Grammy Award winner Bruno Mars will be among the events highlighting this year's Preakness LIVE, which will follow the 148th edition of the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico May 20. Mars previously performed at the Preakness 11 years ago. Preakness LIVE will feature a full day of live music and entertainment beginning at 10:30 a.m., including performances by Grammy nominated musical duo Sofi Tukker, DJ Chantel Jeffries and Martin 2 Smoove. Preakness LIVE will also feature Baltimore's art scene with the return of the infield art garden featuring unique works...

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Preakness Art Submissions Open

The Art of Racing, inaugurated last year as a partnership between 1/ST, the Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), today launched its 2023 program. This year, the call for entries has been expanded to artists nationwide, and beginning today, artists can submit their entries to www.preakness.com/the-art-of-racing. Submissions will be accepted through Mar. 10. The art competition commemorates the second jewel of the Triple Crown Series and its impact on Baltimore, as artists are invited to create and submit original, two-dimensional visual art depicting the unique...

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