Horse racing

Men and women alike dressed the part with fancy hats and dapper attire at The Preakness Stakes

Here are scenes from all the horse racing at Pimlico during the 148th Preakness Stakes.

As thoroughbred horses thundered around Pimlico Race Course at Preakness 2023, politicians considered what could — or should — be done about the future of the track and the racing industry.

The exhibit at Pimlico Race Course displays Secretariat's trophies from his Triple Crown wins in 1973.

Havnameltdown, favored in the Chick Lang Stakes on Preakness day, was euthanized after throwing jockey Luis Saez.

This was the first trip to Preakness for Tiffani and David Freeman, Baltimore natives who often drove past but never set foot in Pimlico before.

Ramiro Restrepo says Mage received a "superficial" bump on his head and will be good to go for Saturday night's Preakness Stakes.

Commonly known as “companion animals,” goats (along with ponies, donkeys, dogs, and even chickens) have been used for decades in equestrian sports to help calm anxious horses.

Dr. Kelly Ryan and her team, as well as the emergency medical staff, are making sure the jockeys are ready to ride, and if they’re injured, that they get prompt attention.

Merchants in the business corridor surrounding Pimlico Race Course want to expand business and community development opportunities on Preakness day and beyond, Yeshiyah Israel, president of the Pimlico Merchants Association, says.

There have been a couple of near-misses, a handful of horses that generated interest at the wagering windows, and a few genuinely outstanding Maryland-breds who, for one reason or another didn’t run in the Preakness.

Taxed, trained by Randy Morse, won the George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at 11-1.

Maryland’s premier race sees its field cut to seven, as one of the top contenders is ruled out by Pimlico veterinarian with an unspecified left hind leg issue.

Under new protocols, every horse that runs at Pimlico Race Course this weekend will require clearance not only from its attending veterinarian but also an independent regulatory veterinarian.

We dumped “Maryland, My Maryland” with good reason in 2021. It was a dumb, racist song written by a traitor and irredeemably associated by everyone with Christmas. It was long overdue for the dustbin. Do we require a new state song? Well, no. But do we need one? Hell, yes.

Maryland's hopes for the first state-bred champion since 1983 rest on Coffeewithchris, born in Woodbine and trained in Laurel. The long shot also represents a chance for the Salzman family to have a moment in the spotlight amid a business that is shifting around them.

Stronach CEO Aidan Butler said having two tracks in Maryland doesn’t make a lot of sense. “Personally, if I were to rebuild one, I’d rather rebuild Pimlico,” he said.

Although the Kentucky Derby unexpectedly turned into a sizzling speed duel among several horses, the Preakness looks — on paper — to be a more sedate affair in the early going. Bet accordingly.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there is a 50% chance of rain showers during the day Saturday.

It first appeared that Mage’s job of defending his Triple Crown chances wouldn’t be getting any easier at Preakness, but some twists in the plan have knocked out strong contenders and left Mage as the only Derby runner to wheel back.