Preakness Preparations Underway At Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Horses, hats and millions and millions of dollars in prizes. We are counting down to the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes right here in Baltimore.
Marcus Washington has more on what it takes to put on such a huge event.
It's taken months and months of planning, but the time has come for the festivities to begin. Place your bets, because this event is off to another great start.
It's a horse race like no other. The Preakness Stakes is the Second Jewel in the Triple Crown, falling after the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes in New York.
"You have a Kentucky Derby winner and everyone is hoping for a Triple Crown winner. This year, it's American Pharaoh," said Gabby Gaudet, Preakness.
The track is part of the trail to the Triple Crown--but Preakness is more than just a race, it's also part of Baltimore's history.
"It's a huge source of revenue, and it gives people--the local community--a chance to come out and be proud of something that's so popular that people really come from all across the world to Baltimore, their backyard," said Gaudet.
In that backyard, months of work continues as the track is tended, grass is watered, seating is placed and venues are constructed.
"Watching it was always just extra exciting. And now being a part of the build is even more exciting," said Alex Corgan, Select Event Group.
Once done, more than 100,000 people will attend and take part in events like the InfieldFest, with performances by DJ Armin van Buuren, Childish Gambino, Trampled by Turtles and A Thousand Horses.
"The greatest thing about the Preakness is that we have the InfieldFest, which draws a younger crowd--teens and 20s--but then you also have everything going on trackside where it's very family oriented," said Gaudet.
Preakness day is on Saturday. The final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, is on June 6.
The MTA encourages fans to avoid traffic and parking issues by taking public transit to and from the race course.
Preakness Stakes Transit Options:
- From Towson-Lutherville-Timonium-Hunt Valley-Southern PA
Take Light Rail to the Cold Spring Lane Stop. Take the connecting Shuttle Bus to Pimlico.
- From Glen Burnie-BWI Marshall Airport-Linthicum-Severna Park-Annapolis
Take Light Rail to the Cold Spring Lane Stop. Take the connecting Shuttle Bus to Pimlico
- From Downtown Baltimore
Take Metro Subway from Charles Center or Lexington Market to Rogers Avenue Station. Take the connecting Shuttle Bus to Pimlico.
- From Owings Mills-Reisterstown-Glyndon-Old Court-Milford Mill
Take Metro Subway to Rogers Avenue Station. Take the connecting Shuttle Bus to Pimlico.
- From Mt. Washington-Falls Road-Cold Spring-Northern Parkway-Cross Keys
Take Park and Ride Express Bus from Poly-Western High School to Pimlico.
- From Penn Station-Baltimore using MARC Train Penn Line Weekend service
Take the Penn/Camden Light Rail shuttle bus to the University of Baltimore/Mt. Royal Light Rail Stop and take a northbound train to the Cold Spring Lane Light Rail Stop. Take the connecting Shuttle Bus to Pimlico.
