BALTIMORE (AP) The Latest on Saturdays 143rd running of the Preakness (all times local):
12:30 p.m.
A steady rain has soaked the fans and created a sloppy track at Pimlico Race Course, hours before the start of the Preakness.
Justify, the favorite to win the Preakness, won the Kentucky Derby on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs.
The crowd in the infield and grandstand at Pimlico is far smaller than usual, and those heading to the tents and chalets must slosh through wet grass and mud.
It is not what Belinda Stronach, the chairman and president of the Stronach Group, envisioned when she approved upgrades to the tents, entertainment and concessions for this years event.
The Stronach Group owns and operates Pimlico, which last year drew a record 140,327 for the Preakness. This year, attendance will be significantly lower because of the rain.
Stronach says they have fingers crossed and are ”still hoping there are gaps in the weather, especially during the race. We hope the race goes off without a hitch.”
She says track officials are doing their best to make sure they look at all aspects. ”Umbrellas, ponchos, boots. I think weve cleaned out the entire Baltimore and D.C. area.”
The weather has led to the Budweiser Clydesdales being scratched and a demonstration by parachute jumpers to be canceled from pre-Preakness festivities. In previous years, the Clydesdales preceded the racehorses on the track before the Preakness. The mud built up from days of rain made that implausible.
—
4 a.m.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be chasing history, and Justify hopes to keep his Triple Crown bid alive in what is shaping up to be a soggy Preakness.
Baffert saddled Justify in a Kentucky Derby victory on a wet track two weeks ago, and the duo is looking for a repeat performance Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Weather forecasters are calling for rain much of the day. If the weather doesnt influence the race – Justify is the heavy favorite – it most certainly could have an impact on attendance after the event drew a record 140,327 in 2017.
Baffert is seeking his seventh Preakness victory, which would tie R.W. Walden for most by a trainer in the history of the race, which was first run in 1873. Baffert is 5 for 5 at the Preakness after winning the Derby on May 5.
Justify also has a nice streak going. The chestnut colt has won all four of his career races, including the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths.
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BALTIMORE (AP) The Latest on Saturdays 143rd running of the Preakness (all times local):
12:30 p.m.
A steady rain has soaked the fans and created a sloppy track at Pimlico Race Course, hours before the start of the Preakness.
Justify, the favorite to win the Preakness, won the Kentucky Derby on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs.
The crowd in the infield and grandstand at Pimlico is far smaller than usual, and those heading to the tents and chalets must slosh through wet grass and mud.
It is not what Belinda Stronach, the chairman and president of the Stronach Group, envisioned when she approved upgrades to the tents, entertainment and concessions for this years event.
The Stronach Group owns and operates Pimlico, which last year drew a record 140,327 for the Preakness. This year, attendance will be significantly lower because of the rain.
Stronach says they have fingers crossed and are ”still hoping there are gaps in the weather, especially during the race. We hope the race goes off without a hitch.”
She says track officials are doing their best to make sure they look at all aspects. ”Umbrellas, ponchos, boots. I think weve cleaned out the entire Baltimore and D.C. area.”
The weather has led to the Budweiser Clydesdales being scratched and a demonstration by parachute jumpers to be canceled from pre-Preakness festivities. In previous years, the Clydesdales preceded the racehorses on the track before the Preakness. The mud built up from days of rain made that implausible.
—
4 a.m.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be chasing history, and Justify hopes to keep his Triple Crown bid alive in what is shaping up to be a soggy Preakness.
Baffert saddled Justify in a Kentucky Derby victory on a wet track two weeks ago, and the duo is looking for a repeat performance Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.
Weather forecasters are calling for rain much of the day. If the weather doesnt influence the race – Justify is the heavy favorite – it most certainly could have an impact on attendance after the event drew a record 140,327 in 2017.
Baffert is seeking his seventh Preakness victory, which would tie R.W. Walden for most by a trainer in the history of the race, which was first run in 1873. Baffert is 5 for 5 at the Preakness after winning the Derby on May 5.
Justify also has a nice streak going. The chestnut colt has won all four of his career races, including the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths.
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