Justify (r) on Saturday held off several hard-charging challengers through a cloud of fog on a slippery trackGETTY IMAGES
The Preakness drew a crowd of 134,487 to Pimlico Race Course Saturday to see Justify claim the second leg of the Triple Crown, "ending a four-year rise in Preakness Day attendance," according to Jonas Shaffer of the BALTIMORE SUN. The total is down 4.2% from last year’s record -- when "more favorable weather conditions helped draw out an announced 140,327 -- but was still the third largest in the event’s 143-year history." Saturday's total Preakness handle was $93.655M, "also falling short of last year’s record mark" of $97.168M. It is "likewise the third-largest handle ever" (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/20). DAILY RACING FORM's Matt Hegarty noted wagering on the Preakness Stakes "was a record" $61.97M. The handle total "was up $600,000 over the previous record for the Preakness,' set in '16, and up 2.9% over last year. The Preakness betting record "was part of an unusually strong 14-race card considering the wet conditions and the absence of large, competitive fields" (DFR.com, 5/20).
OH SAY, CAN YOU SEE? The AP's Stephen Whyno noted Justify "held off several hard-charging challengers" through a "cloud of fog on a sloppy, slippery track" (AP, 5/19). In Baltimore, Don Markus noted a dense fog "shrouded the Pimlico Race Course" and was "as much a part of the conversation as Justify's win" (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/20). DAILY RACING FORM's Jay Privman noted Pimlico officials said that "more than seven inches of rain fell" beginning on Tuesday. Later in the day on Saturday "rising temperatures produced fog that obscured many of the portions of the track not already blocked by a concert stage, party tents, and other obstacles in the infield." By the time the Preakness was run, the fog "was as thick as it had been all day." Around the far turn, during the race, horses "disappeared in the fog." WinStar Farm President & CEO Elliott Walden said of waiting for horses to emerge from the fog, "It seemed like an eternity" (DRF.com, 5/19).
PUDDLE OF MUD: In Baltimore, Wesley Case noted for its 10-year anniversary, InfieldFest was "publicized by organizers as a refreshed event with a smarter layout to promote watching and betting on races, and a 'megastage' to serve as a focal point." The execution was "overshadowed by conditions that left no attendee’s shoes -- at the least -- safe from the wet, sloppy mud." Organizers also "attempted to make horserace betting more accessible to the Infield’s young crowd." Betting ambassadors "were on hand to answer questions about how to place bets." Stronach Group-owned wagering service Xpressbet "set up a Betting 101 explanation tent, and handed out coupons for a free $10 bet voucher to as people entered the Infield" (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/20). Also in Baltimore, Brittany Britto noted Preakness-goers "reported waits as long as two hours to get into the annual horse-racing event Saturday afternoon, causing some to miss the InfieldFest’s headlining acts." Others "gave up and left." Maryland Jockey Club VP/Communications Dave Joseph said that officials "hadn’t received any complaints of particularly long lines." He said, "We haven’t heard anything like that. With 140,000 people, someone’s bound to have issues at some point" (BALTIMORE SUN, 5/20).
STARS STILL SHOWED UP: In Baltimore, John-John Williams IV noted the absence of Under Armour's "typically celebrity-filled tent didn't stop the stars from showing up." Among those in attendance were model Chanel Iman, Ne-Yo, Ravens K Justin Tucker, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, Patriots coach Bill Belichick and actress Charlotte McKinney (BALTIMORESUN.com, 5/19).
