May 15, 2013

Whether you’re preparing for this weekend’s trek to Pimlico, or just a little web curious about its impending horseplay, you should spend some time getting to know the rich and exuberant history of Preakness. Below is a side-by-side glimpse into the evolution of Preakness to give you a little taste of what an estimated 120,000 people should be expecting.

: DERBY WINNERS: LEFT – Derby winning Secretariat enjoys grass and clover at Pimlico race track following a brief workout with exercise boy George Davis. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Derby winning horse Orb arrived at Pimlico May 13, 2013, being led by assistant trainer and exercise ride Jennifer Patterson. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)

: BEFORE THEY MOUNT: TOP – Jockeys riding in The Preakness pose at Pimlico before the big race in 1954. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Jockey Jonathan Joyce prays for safety and running a good race before every races he has a mount in before the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: FINAL STRETCH: TOP – The Preakness finish from the roof of the grandstand at Pimlico, Maryland, May 13, 1939. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – At the final turn of the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Jeffrey F. Bill/Baltimore Sun)

: BUGLERS: LEFT – Larry Popoli Sounds the bugle, at Pimlico in 1975. (Carl D. Harris/Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Sam Grossman blows his bugle at Pimlico prior to the 6th race of the 135th Preakness Stakes. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)

: LADIES ON DISPLAY: TOP – Mrs W W Lanahan wins the Preakness Queen title at the 1936 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – The judges observe #12, Tonie, at the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: MAYORAL APPEAL: TOP – Mayor William Donald Schaefer made his debut as a hula dancer during a program staged by the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects to mark Preakness Week in 1977. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake attends the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: TAKING THE LEAD: TOP – Crossing the finish line in 1936. (A. Aubrey Bodine/Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – I’ll Have Another, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, crosses the finish line ahead of Boedmeister, ridden by Mike Smith, to win the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

: FOOTBALL STARS: TOP – Johnny Unitas, accompanied by television star Jim Nabors, head to the Pimlico winner’s circle to present the trophy to winner of John Unitas Purse in 1973. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis attends the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Jill Rosen/Baltimore Sun)

: SPLASHING AROUND: LEFT – The 1977 Mount Vernon Preakness festival was a big splash with this youngster and her balloon. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Matt Fitzpatrick of Hazzard, NJ takes a dive in a small pool filled with water and ice in the infield of the 137th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: THE BANDS: TOP – The Red Hubbe”s band plays to a Preakness crowd gathered in Fells Point in 1975. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Performing artist Wiz Khalifa (R) sings a song with Maroon 5’s Adam Levine prior to the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

: GONE WITH THE WIND: TOP – The 1982 Preakness Balloon Race was cancelled due to hazardous wind but one balloon briefly inflated in Druid Hill Park so onlookers could get a peek at its logo. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Hot air balloon operators take part in the evening “glow” during the Preakness Celebration Hot Air Balloon Festival at Turf Valley in Ellicott City on May 10, 2012. (Brian Krista/Baltimore Sun)

: FROG HOP: LEFT – Dr. Merrill Egorin and daughter Melanie Egorin, 3-1/2-years-old, coax their frog during the 1977 Preakness Frog Hop. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Brian Lopez (L) and Jasmine Layne from Archbishop Borders put “Jumper” on the starting square at War Memorial Plaza on May 16, 2007. (Algerina Perna/Baltimore Sun)

: THE JOCKEYS: TOP – In this turn-of-the-century group photo of jockeys are Fred “Dutchman” Taral (third from left) and his fiercest cometition of the day, William Sims (seated fifth from left). (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Barbara Jo Rubin (L), Mary Russ (LC), Cheryl White (RC) and Patricia “P.J.” Cooksey (R) share a laugh outside the Preakness Stakes barn. They are four of eight retired female jockeys who rode in The Lady Legends For the Cure Race, part of the Black-Eyed Susan race day on May 12, 2010. (Kim Hairston/Baltimore Sun)

: PLACE YOUR BETS: TOP – The 1931 Preakness crowd at the ticket window. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – People wait to place their bets in the grandstand during the 134th Preakness Stakes. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: SEND IN THE CLOWNS: LEFT – A clown at Preakness in 1973 (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Preakness Infieldfest mascot, Kegasus with his new sidekick, UniCarl (L). (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: GETTING THERE: TOP – Race-goers ride the Maryland National Bank trolley in 1971 (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – After a shopping cart joy ride, Jason Stewart, from Pittsburgh, hands cart pusher Myron Jackson (11 y/o) a crumpled wad of bills from his front pocket. “Here you go. I don’t even know how much this is,” says Stewart with a slur. Area children, and adults alike, usually use shopping carts to tote beverage coolers up to the gate entrances of the 132nd Preakness Stakes. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: THE GAMBLING GIRLS: TOP – Reviewing the Preakness lineup in 1956 (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Katie Alexa (L) and Kathy Spiegel of Erie, Pennsylvania, wearing memorabilia of years past on their hats, figure out their bets in the grandstand area well before the 133rd Preakness Stakes. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: INFIELD VOLLEYBALL: LEFT – Fans while away the time before the race with volleyball on the Pimlico infield in 1978. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Heather Lowe attempts to block Heather Hughes’ hit during an infield game at the 136th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: NEIGHBORLY KINDNESS: TOP – A neighbor of the Preakness makes her proximity to the track pay off in 1975. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – “Restroom, ya’ll! C’mon!” yells Mo Williams (R) of the surrounding Pimlico neighborhood to race fans passing by. For those who attended the 132nd Preakness Stakes who need to go, convenience, and a flushing commode with no line, only cost $2. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: COME PREPARED: TOP – Arriving at the infield in 1984 with coolers in tow. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – A group of men, who identified themselves as Elvis, make their way towards the entrance of Pimlico Race Courser for the 133rd Preakness Stakes. My only question is, “Where do they keep their wallets?” (Gene Sweeney/Baltimore Sun)

: STARTING GATE: TOP – The start of Preakness on May 14, 1934. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – The start of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2011 (Lauren Mackson/ US Presswire)

: FLOWERS AND HATS: TOP – Dutchess of Kent Mrs. W. B. Usilton III, Princess of Baltimore Mrs. John W. Williams and Princess of Baltimore, Mrs. Edward Johnston at the 1936 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Maria Chacomas of Baltimore (L) and Leah Baker (R) of Laurel pose for photos in their hats. (Brendan Cavanaugh/Baltimore Sun)

: SUN EXPOSURE: TOP – Ms. Ethel Tote sunbathes during the Peabody Jazz Concert at War Memorial Plaza in 1978. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – On the infield at Pimlico, the crowd gathers around a young woman as she comes off a guys shoulders after she declined to bear herself to the chants of the crowd at the 132nd Preakness Stakes. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: INFIELD CUISINE: TOP – An infield cookout at the 1977 Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Chris Warwick, of the Casey’s Crab Company in Laurel, steams crabs on the infield of Pimlico Race Track at the 135th Preakness Stakes. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: THREE LOVELY LADIES: TOP – Three ladies enjoy the day together at the 1953 Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Mary Kate Franchetti (L) of Columbia, Corleight Lajeskie (C) of Baltimore and Tracy Brothers (R) of Nashville, Tennessee have a good time in the corporate tent village in the 135th Preakness Stakes infield. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: BLACK-EYED BEVERAGES: LEFT – Terry Thurston prepares to serve a traditional Preakness drink, a Black-eyed Susan, in 1975. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Jylen Beazley-Maquehue of Holy Frijoles prepares a Preakness 2011 original cocktail, a Black-eyed Cactii. (Amy Davis/Baltimore Sun)

: STORING THE LIBATIONS: TOP – A man reaches for a cold one from a cooler in the Preakness infield in 1974 (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Colby Emmons (L) and Ermino Magno of Maine pour vodka from a watermelon in the infield at the 136th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: MISS PREAKNESS: LEFT – Miss Preakness 1970, Janet Davenport Phillips. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Miss Preakness 2009, Heather Radford. (Jed Kirschbaum/Baltimore Sun)

: CHEERING ON THE RAIL: TOP – The Preakness crowd cheers during a race in 1941 (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Race fans in the corporate tent area cheer on the horses during the 134th Preakness Stakes. (Jerry Jackson/Baltimore Sun)

: FORAGING ON THE INFIELD: LEFT – Carol D’Angelo eats a hot dog with friends on the infield at the 1980 Preakness Stakes. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Sarah Csikos of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania plays a drinking game called “slap the bag” during the infield mayhem at the 131st Preakness Stakes. (Glenn Fawcett/Baltimore Sun)

: CUDDLING ON THE INFIELD: TOP – Darla Hensley and John Ivey of Rockville, Maryland cuddle to pass the time on the 1981 Preakness infield. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – A couple takes a rest from partying on the infield before the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: THAT’S TALENT: LEFT – Miss Preakness 1974, Sharon Brophy, dances on stage. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Valene, a contestant in the bikini contest, poses for photos at the 136th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: TRADITION OF BEAUTY: TOP – The 1938 Miss Preakness pageant. (Augusta Poe/Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Competitors in the bikini contest at the 136th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING: TOP – The 4th annual Preakness Festival Parade made for a long day for the 5,000 participants and 150,000 spectators in 1975. Tonya Snyder finally decided enough was enough and took a nap on the Arbutus Sailorettes’ float. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Nearly passed out, with drink in hand, Terry Smith continues to cheer for the bikini contest at 10:28 a.m. on the infield at Pimlico on May 15, 2010. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)

: FRIENDLY GAMES: TOP – The 1983 Preakness Week horseshoe contest. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Tony Caruso (L), Travis Simpson (2nd L) and A.J. McDeavitt of Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania play a game of beer pong with Markham Rollins (R) of White Plains, New York on the 134th Preakness Stakes infield. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: PULL UP A CHAIR: LEFT – A man is deep in thought beside the Preakness clubhouse in 1967. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – @studiotempura tweets “Keeping it classy on the #Preakness” in 2011.

: RELEASE THE BEER BONG: LEFT – A beer bong in 1983 at the Preakness infield. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – A group of party goers use a device called an “octopus” to guzzle eight beers at one time during the 133rd Preakness Stakes. (Karl Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun)

: MOSEY UP TO THE BAR: TOP – Gentlemen order drinks at the 1937 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Morgan Wadell (L) of Ellicott City, Bryan Short (C) of Ashburn, Virginia and Scott Styles (R) of Laurel visit the infield Oxygen Bar at the 134th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: DANCING CHEEK TO CHEEK: LEFT – Couples dance at the 1937 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Infield activities find Vince Cerni from Baltimore (L) dancing with Nicole Pagan from Virginia Beach at the 134th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: LET THE MUSIC PLAY: LEFT – Shirley Lloyd listens while Ozzie Nelson leads his band at the 1937 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Bruno Mars performs at the main stage on the infield at the 136th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: RAISE YOUR GLASS: TOP – Mrs. Henry Harrison, Mrs. John Edward Johnston, Mrs. W. W. Lanaham, Mrs. John W. Williams and Mrs. H. Lay Phillips enjoy a beverage at the 1936 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – The ladies of a bachelorette party hold the new “bottomless cups” – plastic cups purchased to allow for unlimited refills on beer – and dance to Bryen O’Boyle with the band Mr. Greengenes during the 135th Preakness festivities. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: AND THE WINNER IS…: LEFT – Secretariat comes to the finish line in the 98th running of the Preakness Stakes. (UPI) *** RIGHT – #5 Shackleford with jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon onboard wins the136th Preakness at Pimlico Race Track. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: PREAKNESS POLITICS: LEFT – V.P. Richard Nixon and wife Patricia attend the Preakness festivities in 1957. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley gives the thumbs up right before the start of the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: MISS CONGENIALITY CONTESTANTS: LEFT – Carolyn Jewell presents Mrs. W. W. Lanaham with flowers at Washington College during the 1936 Preakness Ball. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Fueled by heat, alcohol and crowds, two girls fighting draws onlookers and antagonizers on the Infield at the 133rd Preakness Stakes. (Brendan Cavanaugh/P3 Imaging)

: NICE HAT, GIRLFRIEND: LEFT – Preakness-goers Mrs. James Hepbron and Mrs. George Mahoney in 1953. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Jill Doyle and Jolene Shelden switch hats as they prepared for the 135th Preakness Stakes. (Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun)

: PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS: TOP – Mary Sherwood protects Ed Fravert from sunburn by applying some sun tan lotion to his back on the 1978 Preakness infield. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – People take cover however they can as beer and other projectiles are hurled throughout the infield at the 132nd Preakness Stakes. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: MESS AROUND THE LOO: LEFT – At the 1975 Preakness infield, errant aim made stepping hazardous for those trying to use the facilities. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – The infield was a sea of mud as experienced by those needing to use the facilities at Pimlico during the 130th Preakness Stakes. (Glenn Fawcett/Baltimore Sun)

: WINNER’S CIRCLE: TOP – Hill Prince and Eddie Arcaro in the Preakness winner’s circle in 1950. (Edward Nolan/Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Jockey Jesus Castanon poses for a photo aboard Shackleford #5 after winning the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

: CELEBS IN THE HOUSE: LEFT – Sonny Bono enjoying Preakness in 1977. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Josh Charles, star of “Good Wife,” visits the corporate village on the infield prior to the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes. (Gene Sweeney/Baltimore Sun)

: JUMPING AROUND: LEFT – Vanessa Vereen, 13, hops on a pogo stick in a 1976 Preakness competition. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Beer cans shower a Preakness-goer seen running on top of the portable toilets on Pimlico’s infield at the 132nd Preakness Stakes. The stunt, known by some as “Running the Gauntlet,” typically ends with a security escort out of the park. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: WOODLAWN VASE: TOP – Eugene James, Jockey Ritchie, Henry Horn, Mayor Jackson and E.R. Bradley in the 1932 Preakness winner’s circle (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Winning jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon and trainer Dale L. Romans hold the Woodlawn Vase after Shackleford won the 136th Preakness Stakes. (Monica Lopossay./Baltimore Sun)

: WATERING THE HORSES: TOP – Maintenance man Bill Schmidt works at the Preakness Barn in 1981. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Justin Blevins funnels a beer through a horse mask, while surrounded by his West Virginia University alumni friends, on the Pimlico infield during the 132nd Preakness Stakes. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: MEDIEVAL TRADITIONS: TOP – Bobby Enfield (R) wins the Preakness jousting game in 1973. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – When one beer is finished a new one is taped on top and popped open, it’s called a wizard’s staff. This Naval Academy student, who goes by the “wizard name” Natural Damus, is drinking from a wizard’s staff 16 cans tall on the infield at the 132nd Preakness Stakes. (Matt Roth/Baltimore Sun)

: THE WINNER’S COLORS: LEFT – Painting the winner’s colors in 1963. (Baltimore Sun) *** RIGHT – Painting of the cupola in the colors of Rachel Alexandra (#13) following her victory at the 134th Preakness Stakes. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: AFTERMATH: TOP – The Preakness infield aftermath in 1975. (Baltimore Sun) *** BOTTOM – Sarah Airey laughs as John Gisiner reaches for yet another discarded full can of beer as they scavenge for treasure the morning after the 132nd Preakness Stakes. (John Makely/Baltimore Sun)