Maryland Takes Center Stage

The weather was perfect this weekend for an exciting and eventful array of sports around the state. From horse racing to cycling to extreme races, there was something for everyone to participate in. Here is a snapshot of why Maryland is a growing Sports destination:

Maryland will have another, as the 137^th Preakness featured the largest crowd ever. Over 120,000 people donned their snazziest outfits, partied, jammed and celebrated horse racing at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore City. The horse racing did not disappoint either. I Will Have Another narrowly defeated Bodemeister to put itself in position to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Stay tuned to see if I Will Have Another attempts to make history at the Belmont Stakes on June 9^th.    

Football & Fencing Fun in Baltimore

It was a busy weekend for Charm City the past few days: two big-draw tournaments were held in and around Baltimore featuring competitors from all around the country.  On Saturday, the Baltimore Flag Football Festival kicked off at Pimlico Race Course, and the 24^th annual Charm City Classic presented by the U.S. Fencing Association, a two-day event for fencers 13 and over, got underway at UMBC’s Retriever Activities Center.

How Maryland Does Horse Racing- 136th Preakness Stakes

136th Running of the Preakness Stakes

 It came and went in a flash! The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at  Pimlico in Baltimore, was finally upon us and everyone’s eyes were on Animal  Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby.

My trek to the Preakness started off with a beautiful 70 degree morning, clear  blue skies and not a chance of rain. This day would be one that will never be  forgotten.

Getting into Pimlico was a breeze, the staff made sure to keep the lines moving.  The first sight we came to was a man selling the coveted and delightful Black-  Eyed Susan drink in a collectable Preakness glass. So naturally, as any other  first timers, we had to have that glass! As we made a toast to our first  Preakness, a friendly lady came up fervently wanting to join in the circle. She could not contain her excitement finding out that it was our first Preakness, and she made sure to give us the best advice she could since she was a veteran, coming to Preakness since 1986.

Prepping for Preakness: Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge

Yesterday we previewed the upcoming NVL Baltimore Preakness tournament in our Prepping for Preakness series. Today we bring you part two and introduce you to another new event taking place this week: the Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge.

Tomorrow is the $30,000 Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge.  This event pits six of the world’s top female jockeys against each other in Pimlico’s inaugural “Distaff” Jockey Challenge.

The ladies will square off in four Challenge races, with points awarded based upon their finish and $10,000 to the winner.  The riders scheduled to participate are Vicky Baze, Forest Boyce, Rosie Napravnik, Chantal Sutherland, Hayley Turner and Emma-Jayne Wilson.

Prepping for Preakness: NVL comes to Baltimore

While folks around Baltimore are gearing up for the 136^th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, some people are prepping for the events surrounding the big race.  Preakness isn’t just a two-minute horse race, but rather a week-long celebration around the town and state.  This year, two new sporting events have been added to that celebration: The National Volleyball League at the Preakness and the $30,000 Pimlico Female Jockey Challenge.

Preakness Preparations on Track at Pimlico

The 136^th Preakness Stakes is a little over a month away, and Pimlico Race Course is getting ready to host the middle jewel in the Triple Crown.  Corporate tents have already begun sprouting up in the infield, and grounds crews have been working to make the infield finish line floral logos stand out by planting beautiful new flowers.  Racing has been underway at the track for nearly a month now, with various stakes races already held.  Over the past few weekends, three stakes races have been held: Shine Again Stakes on April 2, Mister Diz Stakes on April 9 and Primonetta Stakes on April 16.

The first 2-year-old race of the year in Maryland was held at Pimlico this past Friday.  Bluegrass Atatude took the top spot in the first juvenile race of the season. The chestnut filly was racing sixth, eventually pulling ahead and winning by two lengths. By chance, OSM was lucky enough to witness this race live.