Looking for some horse sense
If you're feeling neglected because there hasn't been any new info on the Orioles here so far today, it's because I have to split my attention between the Orioles and the Preakness. This is nothing new. I've covered almost every Preakness either as a reporter or columnist since I arrived in Baltimore in 1990. Wouldn't miss it.
People say that horseracing is dying, but you wouldn't know it by the crowds that pack the tracks for the Triple Crown races and the Breeders Cup. It certainly has far less mass appeal than it used to -- and definitely appeals to a much older crowd than the X Games -- but there's something about the big races that still draws fans and gets TV ratings. It's called real drama.
Be honest. Major League Baseball sets attendance and revenue records every year, but which would you rather watch -- Adam Eaton throwing his 100th pitch in the fourth inning or Calvin Borel blasting through on the rail aboard 50-1 longshot Mine That Bird (right) to win the Kentucky Derby?
The perception of horse racing as a sport in total decline is magnified in Maryland, because of the dilapidated condition of Pimlico and the lack of consensus on how to re-energize the industry. It certainly hasn't helped that the legislature cared more about gotcha politics for four years than getting a slots deal done that would have helped the tracks and narrowed a huge state budget deficit, but that's water -- and billions in lost tax revenue -- under the bridge.
The only thing to do now is enjoy the Preakness and the great way it showcases Baltimore for one shining Saturday every year.
Well, every year so far.
AP Photo
> 
Comments
Are there any heavy Oriole references in the horses? I won't make that mistake twice. I learned from Cal.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Calvin Borel is on the No. 13 horse, so I don't think the numerology is going to work.
Posted by: Basemonkey | May 14, 2009 3:05 PM
Its a shame what they've done to the infield because the past 4 years I enjoyed getting hammered drunk for 12 straight hours. Definitely not paying $50 to buy beer and listen to buckcherry.
Posted by: Pills | May 14, 2009 3:15 PM
Hey Pete, there is a similarity between MLB and Horse Racing. Horse racing has its top stars "juicing up" too. There is Steve Asmussen, now the the trainer of Rachel Alexandra, and Richard Dutro, trainer of Big Brown, who both have been fined and suspended numerous times for drug violoations in their horses. Also, Jeff Mullins, trainer of Derby favorite I Want Revenge, was caught administering a drug to a horse in the security barn at Belmont Park that is banned from being used on raceday.
Posted by: chris | May 14, 2009 3:56 PM
The more things change the more they stay the same. Maryland officials do nothing about deteriorating sports situation for decade or more and when it is too late to save they feign indignance at private owner and file eminent domain suit. I wonder if they can grow black eyed susans in Indiana? Does Mayflower have horse trailers? Not even DC school building inspectors would find Pimlico fit for human occupation. How can you say this dump "showcases" Baltimore? That is like saying that The Wire's depiction as the murder capital of the world "showcased" the city. It was safer to be in the front row at Altamont in December of '69 than to be in the infield at the Preakness with the flying bottles and cans of the past.
Posted by: Lucky Horseshoe | May 14, 2009 11:05 PM
Maryland horse racing is a disgrace. Magna completely ran Pimlico and Laurel to the ground. The slots is a complete joke and a slap in the face to horse racing industry. They have waited 10 years for them to be approved, and they can't even get them at their track!!!!! Now, Delaware has approved card games and sports betting. Charlestown is going to do the same. The phrase, "too little, too late" comes to mind.
Posted by: MIke | May 15, 2009 4:26 AM
Thanks Pete, some of us do love and respect horseracing for the sport that it is, it's mostly a rich man's sport but for us lowly lovers of the sport, who've been watch for over 20 years, it's hard to see Pimlico lose the Preakness and hard for them to change the tradition of the Preakness Infield, it's not all drunks! We met and kept in contact with friends over the years and always met at our spot on the fence as close to the 1/8th pole as possible....oh yeah they took that away several years back, putting in those bleacher seats....of course they'll take away the coolers of beer. The Maryland Jockey Club is a joke and does not have the best interest for the Preakness at Pimlico....Go Mine that Bird...show em what ya got!
Posted by: Debbie | May 15, 2009 8:11 PM
Check out the attendance at OTB parlors in the cities that have them. Morning to night there are people watching the races and, of course, wagering on the nags. There is one in Philly right near the ballpark and it seems as though the parking lot is always full.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: But just about everybody there, when it's not a Triple Crown race or the Breeders Cup, is 60 years old, which doesn't bode well for the sport.
Posted by: Jay Peterson | May 16, 2009 5:49 PM