It’s safe to say I’ve already got Triple Crown fever. Apart from keeping a running tab on the top ranking 3 year olds in the country headed to the Kentucky Derby, the real day of the year that I wait anxiously for is the running of the Preakness Stakes. It’s a Maryland tradition and something that I’ve been a regular attendee of since my Freshman year of college back in 1996.
In the old days we used to cram a bunch of frat guys and jocks together, coupled with all the female friends we could muster, and hop on a bus headed for Old Hilltop at around 6AM. Our destination was invariably the infield, in which you can go an entire day without even being aware that horse racing is going on. See that sea of humanity in the photo above? One of those would be me every year. I would try and carve us out a spot where we could both see the best of the infield and keep an eye on the racing action. Even back then I was an aspiring handicapper, you see.
I’ve got many fond memories of the sights and sounds that accompany a visit to the Preakness infield. From the clarion calls encouraging female spectators to bare their chests proudly, to the drunken lunatics racing along the tops of the portable bathrooms while running a gauntlet of thrown beer cans (full beer cans, I might add). I also remember fondly the muddy Preakness of 2003 (I think…alcohol consumption seems to have affected my ability to recall the date with certainty) where in order to get to said portable bathrooms one had to engage in mud-wrestling with total strangers.
Ah, such were the ways of my ignorant youth. Last year a good friend of mine bequeathed some amazing grandstand tickets to my wife and I. The experience was life changing to say the least. We sat near folks from the Thoroughbred Times on both Preakness and Black Eyed Susan day. I of course got to cheer on my beloved Curlin in the feature race, and was able to watch in awe both when Robbie Albarado mounted him and when he made his victory lap. Still, even with our newly found posh surroundings, there was still moments when I gazed into the infield to remember days of yore. The moment that caused me the most reflection was when a team of U.S. Air Force specialists parachuted into Pimlico, ostensibly to land on the giant “x” marks on the main track. Some wind caught the parachutists, however, and they were swept into the infield. In a moment that made me roar with laughter, one of the specialists slammed into a fence and hung upside down towards the infield crowd. It wasn’t long before he was being drenched in beer by cheering hooligans. He was a good sport about it though and raised his hands triumphantly, which brought on a roar from the crowd where we were sitting.
With that experience fresh in our minds (and parachute specialist faux-pas aside), the wife and I decided to try and get the best seats we could this year. We ended up opting for the Turfside Terrace – which are the tents you see in the photos above with their backs to the shenanigans of the infield. The seats ought to put us in perfect position for the final strides of the race, and even better position for when the jockeys get the call for “riders up.” The only bad thing is that we won’t be able to view the jumbo-tron and see what is happening during the races. I haven’t quite figured out how I’m going to handle that, but seeing as that I’m usually full of nervous energy at the track, I’ll likely be up and walking around anyway.
The Preakness is really the only triple crown event I can attend, as Pimlico is conveniently located from our home in Hanover, PA. Indeed, in order to exit our house that morning we’ll have to travel down streets called Derby Drive, Preakness Drive, and Race Horse Road.
I know we were probably spoiled last year, with arguably the best Preakness since Sunday Silence and Easy Goer, but I’m confident the day will still be amazing nonetheless. As the weather starts to turn and the spring rains arrive, I can’t help but gaze now at the calendar and think “how many more days until Preakness?”
I thought I’d end the post by sharing some of the Preakness moments that I’m most fond of over the years, starting with the aforementioned battle between Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. If this one doesn’t give you chills, there’s something wrong with you. Listen to the roar of the crowd in the stretch!!!!
In my next Preakness memory, Smarty Jones pulls away from Lion Heart and Rock Hard Ten. The moment around the turn when Smarty takes the lead. I remember getting choked up thinking “my god, if he wins this he’ll go on to win the Triple Crown!!!” Who could’ve possibly foreseen Birdstone defeating him in the final moments of the Belmont two weeks later? Ah, to go back to that year and remember how this horse had the focus of the nation on him. At the end of the replay you hear the announcer comment “this is special!!!!’ Special indeed.
I couldn’t possibly end a Preakness post without posting the video from last year, where my wife and I added our voices to the throngs of fans yelling and screaming as Street Sense and Curlin battled it out down the stretch. A rush of emotion comes over me every time I watch this. These videos capture just about everything I love this sport, and hopefully show why Preakness Day is so very special to me.
I can’t wait until this years preakness! I doubt it will compare to Curlin’s victory last year, but hopefully we will see a good duel at the end.
Well I hope you have a good time! Even if you won’t be engaging in the drunken debauchery
Wish i could go and experience it too….
All of the years I went and partied in the infield, I never even saw a horse, but had a blast. Last year Kev got us great seats and now I could never imagine going back to the infield again.
Hey, I just realized who you were! I’m a little slow LOL. Yeah, Kevin even has me reading this horse blog when I previously had no clue about this stuff, I’m sure he convinced you how much fun the race would be if you actually watched it!
Congrads on your great seats for this year’s Preakness! I’ve only been twice -both times on the infield. It was lots of fun but few people could understand my enthusiasm for the race. The first was in 1999 which I consider my favorite race of all time. I bet $20 on Charismatic who went of at 8-1 (after just winning the Derby!) I was at a low point in my life after a failed business venture, but this one race gave me the confidence I needed to turn things around. I never felt so confident in a horse after two weeks of handicapping and made all of my friends bet him and he’s all I talked about all afternoon. I even coached some curious onlookers at the fence at the top of the stretch before the race. I told them when they broke he would be far back as they passed by us the first time but when they come around again he’ll have the lead. They broke to the roar of the crowd, passed us and continued down the stretch for the first time. We could tell where the horses were on the track by the roar of the fans, who like us, were pressed against the infield fence and get to see just see a brief moment of the race. The roar continued around the track, kind of like a wave traveling around a stadium. As the roar approached our section again I told everybody to look for green and yellow, number 6! Suddenly the horses appeared and it seemed to happen in slow motion. Charismatic was indeed on top and I remember how intensely Chris Antley was pushing him and the horse looked so damn powerful! I wasn’t exactly sure if it was him though because two jockeys in the race wore green and yellow. The black saddle cloth was waving like a flag (in slow motion mind you,) and it flashed a yellow six and I and the rest of the people around me who I recently converted to Charismatic fans, erupted in celebration as he continued his way on to victory. If you are ever at Laurel, watch the replay as Maryland’s own track announcer makes the race sound like it’s the most exciting event in history of mankind. The youtube version with the tv announcer doesn’t do it justice.
@Anok and Amy – Oh my, Anok and Amy conversing together? Is this like crossing the streams in Ghostbusters?
@Jerry – you just gave me chills, Jerry. I remember that Preakness well. There’s nothing like picking a winner in one of the triple crown races. It happens so rare (at least for me, or so it seems) that you never forget it for the rest of your life.
I was a loyal fence-watcher from the infield for many a year. I wonder if we ever crossed paths? I’d usually pick out who knew a thing or two about horses and strike up some conversation before getting to insanely drunk (it was the infield after all, and I was in my college years). If you had a DRF in your hand and I saw you, no doubt we exchanged at least a hello.
Worse yet, it took me a full ten minutes before I realized who Amy was!
Ah yes, my infamous “better half.” I had her keeping an eye on things around here while I was away. You know, “ninja style.”
I only went one other time and that was the year Afleet Alex won. I told all my friends to bet him to win, but I thought he would be around 8-5, so I bet a couple of exactas instead. I lost but my buddies were thrilled to win. Similar to 1999 I was preaching how he would win, how I bet him in the Derby but he had traffic problems, etc. If I ran into you out there, we would have talked horses the entire time. Unfortunately I never came across anyone who did more than pick horses by name.
My Derby picks have fared extremely well. Most win, or end up winning the Preakness, or Classic later in the year. On the other hand, I’ve only picked a couple of Belmont winners. I won $700 on Smarty Jones in the Derby and Preakness only to lose a $600 win bet on him in the Belmont. That was my biggest bet by far on a horse race to that point. It’s my dream to pick the triple crown and I got better than track odds online (3-5,) so I figured it was worth it. Who could have figured Birdstone would ruin it? That race was the most depressing ever. To see him in front by three lengths at the top of the stretch, thinking it was over, only to have my dreams crushed at the end. I’m glad I wasn’t the track announcer as I would have been proclaiming Smarty Jones as the triple crown winner on the far turn. To his credit, the track announcer was all over it as if he knew that longshot was going to catch him all along.
The day Smarty lost was one of the most depressing moments in my following of the sport. I actually took Curlin’s loss to Rags even worse last year, but only because he’s “my horse” (my all time favorite).
Actually a lot of what you describe above reminds me of my thoughts on Curlin. I knew the traffic he encountered in the Derby had hindered him and that he’d get a cleaner run in the Preakness. Seemingly everyone else I listened to was picking Street Sense or Hard Spun. I just knew Curlin was the best.
I honestly went upstairs and refused to speak for hours after he lost the Belmont to Rags. Heartbroken doesn’t begin to describe it. The day Smarty lost we had friends over for a cookout and the mood went from joy to shock almost instantly.
Curlin’s loss in the Bemont was very depressing to me also. I raved over how great Curlin was and how there was no way he could lose. I told people because of the small field and length of the race, traffic would not be a problem and no horse could compete with him. Little did I know he would be boxed in behind the jogging pacesetters, and lose a sprint to the wire. Todd Pletcher better never give Curlin a rematch! Anyway the Smarty Jones loss hurt more because I lost my Triple Crown.
I can certainly understand that – especially considering the $600 wager that seemed to be a sure thing. I usually try to play longshots in the Belmont because it just seems the favored horses that have competed in the Derby and Preakness are a bit worn down by then.
I’m thinking War Pass and Pyro are our only real shots at that this year.
Your Pyro is looking really good now!
All of those years I went to preakness I never understood why anyone would pay all of that money to sit in the grandstand, now I could never imagine sitting anywhere else. I had no clue about horses, but Kev has taught me how to handicap and I even helped him hit a pick 4!!
If I go to the Preakness again, I would prefer to be on the infield. I really like the party. When post time for the race comes, I’ll be pressed against the fence.
If I were in the infield I would lose track of time and miss every race + I like not having to stand in the ridiculous lines for the port-o-potty. Trust us, one year in the seats and you won’t be able to go back!
Where i really want to go is to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, and yes, I’d want to be in the grandstand. The twin spires look so beautiful plus the atmosphere would have to be incredible for arguably the biggest race of the year. Nothing compares to the excitement of a 20 horse race.
The Belmont would be an easier trip for me though. I wonder how hard it would be to get in that place if a triple crown was on the line?
One year I’m going to splurge and by tickets to all 3 ahead of time and just plan a whole series of vacations around the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont. I suppose I had better do that soon before Baltimore loses the Preakness. To be there at Churchill when the gates open up. Oh my. I can’t believe I haven’t willed myself there yet somehow.
I can’t even imagine seeing a Triple Crown winner take all 3. I really thought Smarty had it a few years back. I still get a weird feeling when I think about that Belmont. Then I thought Barbaro would do it. Last year I thought Curlin would do it. I’m just not going to pick anyone this year for a TC and see if Pyro can’t pull it off.
Kstaff I’ve been looking at the Turfside Terrace seats, I think these might be better than the grandstand ones!
See here:
http://www.preakness.com/Ticket+Sales/TurfsideTerrace.htm
And this is your menu:
http://www.preakness.com/NR/rdonlyres/8C5A113B-5FCA-44F6-B435-CF32B3F74BFB/0/TTPDMenu08.pdf
You’ll be up close and personal for sure; Preakness horses saddle on the turf course too, you’ll have a great view!
Yes indeed – last year we said to ourselves “that’s where we want to be!”
Of course, we will have our backs to 3/4 of the races, and I think I’ll have to get up and walk around to see the big jumbotron, but I move around all over the place during the races anyway. Usually I’m just laying my bet as the gates open.
I’ll document the whole 2 day affair (including Black Eyed Susan Day) photographically of course.
Hey Kstaff, did you know Curlin is a daddy? He had a son born this year. The mare’s name is Madame Anne Peters, the colt is called Curpeters.
Seriously? I didn’t know they bred stallions still racing! Where did you find that out? Diss always has the inside scoop.
I hate to burst the bubble but that can’t be Curlin’s son. They haven’t bred him to anyone yet. He’s been in training and was never scheduled with any mares.
I hate to predict anything this early, so I’ll wait a while more. I will say again that Pyro is the best late runner maybe ever, and I’ve been watching the triple crown races since the 50′s. That means he has the ability to win the Belmont… hint hint. I hate to be thinking THAT far in advance yet! Pyro can NOT, I repeat can NOT run in last place till the top of the stretch in the Derby though (I don’t think duhhh). What do you all think about Pyro’s far turn (second turn) tactical placement for Churchill ?? Now there’s a topic worth discussing!! I’ll go first, I would say mid-pack uhhhh running in 7th or 8th position.
Good question, roblejeune! I think I’d be happy with 7th or 8th place turning for home. I think if he gets an outside post position he’ll be in better shape than if he’s stuck down on the rail in position 1 or 2. I could see him running into the same traffic that cost Curlin so dearly last year, especially early on. I just have this feeling that he’ll handle the distance better than a lot of them.
Kstaff eat crow dude. I will prove it to you and then you will buy my Preakness tickets AND publicly apologize to me, the ROOKIE horse race person.
(kidding, kidding!) about all except me PROVING IT!
be back with PROOF!
PROOF:
http://www.pedigreequery.com/curpeters
I’ll email you my address for my Preakness tickets
We all know Curlin; look at the Pedigree for that Mare. That cold was bred to win the Triple Crown. That’s their intention. Wanna bet?
oops… cold s/b COLT
I’ll also make another bet. Pyro won’t win the Belmont so he won’t win the TC. (Remember though… I Like him a lot!) He has a bigger contender than even War Pass. His name is Etched. He’s currently in Dubai. He’ll be back for the Derby. If he stays healthy he’s a serious contender, and he can win.
I’m dumbfounded, but this has to be wrong…..I’ve never known that site to be inaccurate in the past, but for the life of me I can’t figure out when this would have happened? I also haven’t seen any stories about it in the DRF or elsewhere – and I’m thinking we would have seen some since there have been stories about Hard Spun and Street Sense “gettin’ it on” with some high class mares.
Just as long as they keep the fillies out of his stall in Dubai. I can’t have some struffet distracting him from the prize in the World Cup.
Edit: Oh yes, and it’s always wise to bet against the favorite in the Belmont. We’ll see who draws into the field in a few months, but you’ve always got to watch out for a fresh horse (aka Rags to Riches last year) enterring in against the relatively tired ones that have competed in the Derby and Preakness. 3 races in 5 weeks is a lot to ask of any horse these days. The oldtimers used to run that way, but anymore they prefer to give 3-4 weeks in between efforts. That’s what makes the TC so hard to win.
Oh, and watch out for horses coming back from Dubai. Many of them don’t return well for whatever reason. I’m not worried about Curlin, since he’s an absolute freak, but many other top flight horses have kind of bombed out in their first attempts after running in Dubai. Some think it’s just a myth, as there are examples of horses that have returned fine, but you’ll hear people mention it from time to time.
If Curlin has a son than 3 years from now would be the time to plan on hitting all 3 races!!
yeah…. buy tickets for your seats to all 3 races… NOW
Get the best seats in the house!
Smarty Jones covered this same mare in 2007. Someone may well have placed false data in those pedigree files. But what for?
Right or wrong, I’m just extremely impressed with how much knowledge you’ve picked up, Diss. You’re starting to sound like a seasoned horseplayer. I may have to talk you into a visit to Laurel before you move.
your passion is contagious
I’d be nothing without you guys. The passion comes from having cool people like you to share this with.
The best seats are ones that allow full view of the track and jumbotron..and quick access to betting windows.
http://www.pedigreequery.com/curpeters was removed from the database. Hm.