ABR Preakness Party on WBAL11 Baltimore

WBAL11 Baltimore Video of the ABR Preakness Party

 My Songbird and Chromie Prints in the TAA raffle

My Songbird and Chromie Prints in the TAA Raffle

My Songbird Print

As seen earlier in my Preakness week, on My 18th, I attended the ABR (Americas Best Racing) Party at Mr. Washington Tavern in Baltimore. One of the highlights of the party was the TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) raffle that included my Songbird and Chromie prints. A couple days after the party, I saw a link to a video that was on WBAL11 Baltimore about the raffle.

141st Preakness May21,2016

 Jacob and I 

The Preakness is one of the biggest races in the United States. It is the second and middle jewel of the Triple Crown between the Kentucky Derby, and the Belmont. The race is held at Pimlico race track, nicknamed "Old Hilltop" in Baltimore Maryland.

Not knowing how things would be with parking, and the crowd, and rain, Jacob and I got an early start. We headed up to Pimlico in a driving rain that stopped as we arrived at the track. 

 We figured we would explore outside, and see some races from there before the impending rain returned.

 The rain did return, and Jacob and I found a nice spot with good visibility at the top of the enclosed grandstand. 

 I love the grays!

Sagamore Racing Chief Istan

 Just before the Preakness, we connected with my friend Steve and headed to an outdoor box just above the finish wire.

 The sloppy track and finish wire from where we watched the 141st Preakness

 From the outside box where we watched the 141st Preakness

 The biggest star of the day was undefeated and Kentucky Derby Winner Nyquist. Instead of walking and saddling the horses back in the paddock, they were walked and saddled on the inside turf track so spectators could see the stars of the day. 

 Once "Riders Up" was given, the Post Parade started on the muddy wet track

 Nyquist looked incredible, and it was hard not the think he would win as he had already beaten the second favorite Exaggerator in the Florida Derby and the Kentucky Derby!

 My attention was also on Awesome Speed with my friend Jevian Toledo up, his first Triple Crown mount!

 As the horses came thundering down the front stretch, Nyquist took the early lead, with Awesome Speed just on his outside. 

 I was unable to get a picture of the horses at the finish wire, but in the end Exaggerator had won the race. The come from behind closer passed Nyquist coming off the final turn, Nyquist ended up third by a bob to Cherry Wine. 

 It was so great to see Jevian do so well on his first Triple Crown Mount, and nice that he stopped for a picture when he saw Jacob and I.

 In the box we were in, we also saw  Jockey Victor Carrasco who has been featured in this blog before.

 Jacob with Jockey Yomar Ortiz

 After the 141st Preakness pageantry was over, we stayed to watch the 14th race of the card. Sagamore Racings Brute Force who I saw and photographed on the training track earlier in the week won the race by lengths.

 Sagamore Racing Brute Force headed to winners circle

 Sagamore Racing Brute Force in Winners Circle

 Found this photo online after the race by Assiciated Press Photographer Nick Wass

Earlier in the Day, Jacob and I spoke to Quinn Kelley from the Baltimore Sun

Black Eyed Susan Day- Pimlico May 20,2016

Black Eyed Susan Day- Pimlico 2016

Black Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico is a full card of racing held the day before the Preakness. Capped off by the Black Eyed Susan Stakes race fore the best fillies in the country. The day is similar to the Kentucky Oaks held the day before the Kentucky Derby. Complete with the pageantry, beautiful hats and dresses for the ladies, and some wild costumes by the men. Of course for me the stars of the day were the horses!

 Being my first Triple Crown Weekend, and feeling the need to bring some fashion flair, I opted for pink shorts, and for the first time ever a bow tie (yes clip on!) and a fedora hat. 

 With Dan Tordjman from ABR (Americas Best Racing)

Between the VIP Tour at Sagamore Farm, and the ABR Preakness party, Dan has given me some wonderful opportunities this week. Despite making fun of me for the clip on tie, I know he is at least a little flattered for the influence on me! 

With Eric Kalet

A KISS FOR THE CHAMP Drawing

Eric is a photographer for the Paulick Report. I had never met him, although we have become friends on Twitter. Eric took the photo last year that I drew "A KISS FOR THE CHAMP" of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah from. 

 Black Eyed Susan Starting Gate

 With Stacy Hurley

Stacy Hurley was a delight to talk to, and play dress up with! In 2013 Stacy won the title of "Bawlmer's Best Hon"

 Budweiser Clydedales

Unkown Horse

Outrider Horse

 Bens Cat headed to Winners Circle with Trevor McCarthy up

Bens Cat is my favorite Maryland horses. He is now a 10 year old gelding, and 4 time winner of Maryland Horse of the Year, and now with 32 Stakes wins. Last year when I went to the 30th Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park, the biggest star of the day, Bens Cat was barely beaten by Jacks in the Deck. In early May, he won the first race of his 10 year old season. This weekend he won the Jim McKay Turf Sprint for the fourth straight year and fifth time overall. 

 Bens Cat

 

 Bens Cat Drawing

Bens Cat II Drawing

When all was said and done at the end of this incredible Preakness Week, seeing Bens Cat win this race, and his incredible charge, thundering down the front stretch was the highlight of my week!

 Unknown horse, but beautiful

Unkown Horse

Unkown Horse

Eric Kalet Photo at Black Eyed Susan Day

While I was talking with Eric Kalet, Dan walked by and this photo was taken. While I was writing this blog entry this photo came over Twitter. Thanks Eric and Dan!

ABR Preakness Party May 18,2016

 Party Flyer / Invitation

 My Songbird and Chromie Prints in the TAA Raffle

TAA Raffle Item List

 Photographer Penelope Miller with my Nyquist drawing

 My Nyquist Drawing signed by Penelope

Raffle Winner Holly with her Chromie Print

On Wed. May 18, ABR (Americas Best Racing) and Sagamore Racing  hosted a Preakness Party at Mt.Washington Tavern in Baltimore. There was a racing memorabilia  raffle with proceeds going to TAA (Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance). Two of the raffle items were my Songbird and Chromie Prints. I also had the pleasure of meeting ABR Senior Manager, Digital Media, and Photographer Penelope P. Miller. Penelope took the photograph of Nyquist the morning after the Kentucky Derby that I used for my drawing.