Black Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico

Although it's location in the middle of one of Baltimore's shadier neighborhoods is far from ideal, Pimlico remains one of Maryland's premier race tracks. Unfortunately, its future hangs in the balance as the debate over slots continues. With dwindling purses Maryland's thoroughbred industry has slown down significantly and many breeders are moving their horses out of state. Gamblers too have moved to nearby tracks in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, where they can play the slots in addition to betting on the ponies.

Gallery of past Preakness winners.

The Preakness is the second leg of thoroughbred racing's triple crown and the most important date on Pimlico's yearly racing calender. I've never had a chance to go, but I love going to the festivities leading up to the Preakness, whether it be Sunrise at old hill top, or the Black Eyed Susan stakes.

All the pony riders (= people who lead the race horses) were decked out in pink in support of breast cancer research.

Pony rider in action during the post parade.

This year there was a special race on the card, called the Lady Legends for the Cure. It featured female racing legends from the early days of women's thoroughbred racing. Ranging in age anywhere from 43 to 60 years old, these retired jockeys returned to the track to try their luck once more.

Here they come:

I must say it was a little bit nerve wrecking to watch, but you have to love these gutsy women! I thought they would make them "race" quiet, retired race horses, but these were all young thoroughbreds currently racing. Amazing! They made it look as if they'd never stopped racing.

It was great seeing the smiles on their faces after they dismounted, and I heard several of them say they wanted to go again haha. For those interested, the entire race was filmed as part of a documentary about the first generation of female jockeys, called Jock. Can't wait to see it!

Trip summary:

Rating: 7.5/10
Distance: 45 mi
Time spent: 5 hours
Entrance fees: $3 for general admission. Assigned seats available also.
More information: http://preakness.com/

Northview Stallion Station

This time not a trip for the general public, but a visit to Northview Stallion Station, one of Maryland's premier thoroughbred racing facilities.

Our first stop is the breeding barn.

We were lucky enough to watch two mares getting bred. The one above was bred toTwo Punch. Before the mating takes place the mares tail is wrapped and a teaser stallion is brought in to get the mare in the mood. Poor bugger doesn't ever get to do anything. What a job!

I'll spare you the pictures of the actual thing, but here's the second stallion Great Notion catching the scent of his mare.

The stallion barn.

Here's Not For Love, the best stallion standing outside of Kentucky for the past seven years. He was actually pretty mellow and let us pet his nose.

Time to go see the babies!!

The impregnation is over in minutes and most people take their mares back home for the duration of the pregnancy, but some mares are boarded at Northview.

Lots of babies!

Time for a nap!

The newest addition to the farm. What a cute little foal!

They talked to us for a while about Maryland's ban on slots at tracks and how it has affected them and the horse racing industry in Maryland. I already knew it was bad news for the horse industry here, but never realized how bad it really is. Hopefully, slots will get legalized in the future!


Trip summary:
Rating: 8/10
Distance: 98 mi
Time spent: 2.5 hrs
More information: http://www.northviewstallions.com/

Marlborough Hunt Races

On April 11th Maryland's high class society gathered at Roedown for the 36th running of the Marlborough Hunt Races.

Some people arrive in style.

The day started with a flat race for kids.

Fancy hats everywhere ... I wouldn't mind wearing this one myself! Interestingly, we observed many people spending all day drinking wine and other beverages, without any attention for the horses. This is clearly a social event for many people. As one man put it "I came to a field and a horse race broke out."

We tail gaited (pretty extensively) too, but at least we got up to watch the races.

A few people went all the way. Don't know how they could stand the heat wearing all that!

And it's not just adults wearing silly hats. This little girl glued a pony in a tutu to hers!

Back to the horses: some of them get ponied by other horses, like the one above.

And over the fence they go.

I love watching them run. :)

The 'best' hat of the day; plastic ponies jumping little obstacles glued to fake grass on a sun hat, complete with spring flowers and miniature American flag. Haha!

Trip summary:

Rating: 7.5/10

Distance: 26 mi

Time spent: 5 hours

Entrance fees: $20 per car + $ 5 per person

More information: http://www.marylandsteeplechasing.com/main/mhr/datetime.htm