A “record crowd of 121,300” attended the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday, a mark that “demonstrated the success of changes made in recent years to stem flagging interest in the sport,” according to Scott Dance of the Baltimore SUN. Among the key changes made in recent years were “instituting an all-you-can-drink deal, stepping up entertainment options and using slot machine gambling revenue to improve race tracks.” The record crowd came in “the fourth year of a new twist on Preakness, an end to a bring-your-own-beer infield policy that garnered a less than flattering reputation.” Maryland Jockey Club President Tom Chuckas in a statement said, “The numbers say it all. We had a tremendous event. We knew in 2009 when we changed the landscape of the infield it would take three or four years to get to where we needed to get, and we are back." The crowd numbers “surpassed 2007 attendance by less than 100 people” and it “completed a rebound in Preakness attendance,” which fell by a third in ‘09 to 78,000 but grew to 107,000 by last year. The handle for this year’s race was $80.46M -- the “sixth-highest betting pool in Preakness history.” Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld III said, "Now, it's built back to an event the city can be proud of hosting. Everyone is happy. People are well-behaved and having a great time." Dance noted it was the “second straight year the crowd didn't require significant control by police” (Baltimore SUN, 5/20).
A GREAT DAY FOR BALTIMORE: In Baltimore, Kevin Cowherd wrote for the “first time in years, no one was wailing about the Preakness possibly leaving Pimlico.” Chuckas said, “It's pretty safe. The Preakness is here. The real issue is -- and I don't want to put a damper on everything -- horsemen and breeders and the track working out something ... balancing the financial viability of the racetrack with racing opportunities for the horsemen.” Cowherd wrote with race officials signing musical acts like Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa, “there's a new energy in the infield.” Cowherd: “This was a great day at Pimlico. A great day for Baltimore” (Baltimore SUN, 5/20). Also in Baltimore, Cho & Knezevich wrote race organizers for years “have been trying to strike a delicate balance between rowdy attendees and refined horse racing fans.” But unlike recent years, “when infield crowds gained a reputation for debauchery and rowdy stunts like port-a-potty races -- racegoers said the party was less out of control.” The infield drew “both casual fans, who came just to hang out, and well-dressed and well-heeled racing patrons -- the type you usually find in the VIP tents or grandstands” (Baltimore SUN, 5/20).
