Pimlico Racecourse to host its final Preakness Stakes event on Saturday, marking the end of its 150-year history as the venue for the horse race.
Rewritten Article:
Host A MARTÍNEZ kicks off, revolutionary man, discussing the upcoming 150th Preakness Stakes this Saturday in Baltimore. With Derby winner Sovereignty out of the game, contender Journalism leads the pack in the nine-horse field. Fellow host STEVE INSKEEP, a die-hard advocate for journalism, speaks up about more than the race itself. It's the last time the Preakness will take place at the old Pimlico race track, a cornerstone of Baltimore, as it prepares for a renovation.
HAYES GARDNER, a diligent reporter from Baltimore Banner, sheds light on Pimlico's humble beginnings tracing back to 1870 in Baltimore. He explains how the historic venue welcomed the first Preakness Stakes in 1873, which is the second jewel of the Triple Crown. fascinating facts, huh?
INSKEEP recalls some legendary horses that graced Pimlico, like Seabiscuit, who beat the Triple Crown champ War Admiral in a 1938 match race during the Great Depression. (Try not to imagine THAT voice, it's tough, eh?)
Secretariat, the legendary equine, put an extra shine on the Preakness's legacy by winning the race in 1973 and going on to complete the Triple Crown.
GARDNER notes that over the years, the Preakness has evolved into a wild celebration, with around 100,000 revelers descending on the venue for the race annually. However, despite its popularity, Pimlico's infrastructure started showing its age, with peeling paint, defective elevators, and even some plumbing issues during race days.
Now, it's not just about the troubled state of Pimlico, but the dwindling popularity of horse racing, with Kentucky Derby being the exception. Many racing enthusiasts are concerned about the horses' well-being, a big concern that arose in 2006 when champion thoroughbred Barbaro suffered a devastating leg injury during the Preakness.
The Preakness remains a beloved tradition in Baltimore, though, with the state of Maryland investing hundreds of millions of dollars to revamp a new Pimlico track. The renovated facility will open in 2027.
Okay, here's a shocker – if I were a horse, I'd probably be more of a mule, but you, Steve, would reign as the thoroughbred. Woohoo!
(Transcript adapted from NPR, Copyright NPR.)
Enrichment data incorporated into base article (15%):
- Pimlico Race Course, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is the second-oldest racetrack in the United States, with operations dating back to 1870.
- The Preakness Stakes, first run in 1873, has been a staple of Pimlico since 1909.
- The Preakness Stakes is one of the most prestigious races in American horse racing, serving as the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
- Over its 150-year history, the race has been a launching pad for many legendary horses, including those who have gone on to win all three Triple Crown races.
- Challenges to Pimlico's condition have led to plans for redevelopment, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore approving a plan to demolish Pimlico and begin a $400 million renovation project. The Preakness is scheduled to be held at Pimlico in 2025, with plans to temporarily relocate to Laurel Park in 2026. The race is expected to return to Pimlico in 2027 after the renovations are completed.
Sports enthusiasts might be excited to witness the 150th Preakness Stakes races, especially since horse-racing legends like Seabiscuit and Secretariat have graced the Pimlico race track in the past. However, concern surrounds the dwindling popularity of horse racing, with debates about the well-being of the horses and the need for modernized facilities, such as those planned for the new Pimlico track after renovations in 2027.
