Globe Corner Blogs

A guest post from fellow horse race-goer Kerry Skemp

Turf Race: photo by Kerry

Baltimore may be famous for its gritty nature, but the city’s also home to a slightly more upscale activity: horse racing. Pimlico Race Course hosts the Preakness Stakes, the second leg in horse racing’s Triple Crown, sandwiched between the noble Kentucky Derby and the oft-forgotten Belmont Stakes (which happened Saturday, June 4). Though less famous than the Derby, the Preakness Stakes is actually older—first run in 1873. These days, each Preakness has the hope of a Triple Crown contender. Many folks cheer for the Derby champ to finish the 1 3/16 mile race first, while others root for a longshot to come out on top. Regardless of who wins, it’s difficult not to be entertained by the Preakness’ unique blend of blue collar and bluebood, a tribute to Baltimore’s working class spirit. And with Baltimore a relatively quick, cheap trip from much of the East Coast, there’s no reason not to check it out next May. These tips from my own recent Preakness experience may help guide your experience.

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THE hat--photo by Llalan

Smooth mint julep in one hand, heady cigar in the other, giant red hat on my head – there’s really only one place I could be: The Kentucky Derby. Let’s be honest, this get-up anywhere else would only earn me looks of derision, confusion, and perhaps outright outrage. But at the Derby the only looks were those that said, “My, she’s wearing a conservative outfit.” Perhaps more than the races themselves, my attention was drawn to the people around me. People-watching was as much a sport at Churchill Downs as horse racing.

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