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Originally Posted by Davona Dale
I have never been there but I'm told that Pimlico is not a very attractive race track. This year it did have Barbaro and I'm sure that was a major attraction.
What I don't understand is how can the Derby and the Belmont have such a nice payout but not Preakness.
By the way, while I'm thinking of it, I was looking through some racing manuals that I borrowed. So much talk about too much speed in today's thoroughbreds. Yet Secretariat's Derby and Belmont records haven't been bested. His Preakness record has been but wasn't there something about his final time in that race being challenged - something to do with the comparison of clocks being used.
I think 3 big races in 5 weeks is an awesome accomplishment for these very young horses. As a vet tech, I get to see the damage done to young animals as a result of owners pushing them too much in performance work. I work for a small animal clinic so maybe there is no comparison between small animals and large animals.
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I have been to Pimlico...you're thoughts on it being crappy are very accurate. For a track that holds the second jewel of the Triple Crown, you would think it could be improved. However, the state of Maryland racing is "in flux" at best. I would go more along the lines of a "dying breed". They only turn a profit for the year because of Preakness Day. I've also been across town to Laurel and hey, its not a dump, but it's better than Pimlico.
Pimlico needs alot of face lift work and basically a total overhaul, which it appears Magna is unwilling to do right now, probably since their investment in Pimlico and Laurel is almost solely based upon slot revenue, which is nill since the state govt wont approve them.
It's a shame, too, because a track with a history such as Pimlico should not be as run down as it is. Honestly, where else would you want to have the second leg of the Triple Crown? Maybe Gulfstream? Arlington? Certainly not the west coast tracks. It belongs in Maryland.