May 16, 2015

Preakness 2015: Through the eyes of Sun reporters

Emma Patti Harris 0 Comment Preakness, The Baltimore Sun 140th Preakness Stakes, American Pharoah, horse racing, Pimlico, Pimlico Race Course, Preakness 2015

50 Photos

Baltimore Sun reporters were on the scene during Preakness 2015. Here is a selection of the people, sights and sounds they encountered during the day.

: Every year since ’92 they’ve had had adjoining seats at Preakness – Nydia and Jimmy Garcia and Mary Beth Friedel. (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: Lots of winners collecting today at the betting windows. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: People headed back out at Preakness. (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: Taking cover from ominous skies. (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: Officials evacuated the grandstands and the Infield but held the race anyway. I cannot believe they ran that race. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Live look at the Preakness 2015 finish line. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Pouring at #Pimlico with 13 minutes to go before the #Preakness Stakes. (Eduardo Encina/Baltimore Sun)

: The things I do for you people. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Rain starting to fall at Preakness. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: View from the top. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Looooong line for one of the working women’s restrooms. One woman said about eight of 10 toilets inside are useable. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Racehorse’s view of the track. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: In the “Bud & Burgers” truck there’s a contest for the best amateur burger in America w/ free samples. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: May the odds be ever in your favor. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: This is the first time at the Preakness for Millie Rivera, 52, and Juan “Rodfather” Rodriguez, 48, of Woodbridge, Virginia. They have attended the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, so “this is the year that we finish,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez is the mastermind behind the matching outfits; they’ve worn other coordinating colors to past races. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Surest sign of spring in Baltimore at Preakness 2015: seersucker suits. (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: American Pharaoh represents in the Preakness infield. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: Eager to pose for a photo. Not so eager to disclose other details. They’re in Baltimore for “the beers and the steers,” and to advocate for a Space Jam sequel. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: From left, Todd Sauve, an “immature” 52, of Minnesota; Meghan Beer, 44, of Catonsville; and Dave Taylor, 53, also of Minnesota. Taylor said he and his family have attended the Kentucky Derby for the last 20 years, so they wanted to expand their horizons and check Preakness off the bucket list. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Reggie Coleman, 62, selling Black Eyed Susans. He’s been working at Preakness for 40 some years. The Cedonia resident thinks the turnout looks a little low this year. “The riots kept some people put, don’t you think?” (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Looking for seats in Pimlico grandstand. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: Five men walked through the infield in a V-formation just after noon. Their matching, bright green T-shirts, bearing the Mighty Ducks logo, elicited a “Quack! Quack!” chant from a nearby group. One of the Ducks, Sean Wisniewski, 26, ambled into the middle of the group to lead the chant, bending down and then raising his hand toward the sky. Justin Patus, 23, said the group had driven 6 hours from Long Island for the Preakness and arrived at about 9 a.m. As for the quacking crowd around them, he said, they were getting used to it. “Random people will start up the quack and we just go along with it,” he said. “It’s happened at least 25 times by now.” And the significance of the shirts? None in particular — they’re just fans of the movie. “It’s a childhood thing,” he said. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Every year wonder the same thing: why don’t I come here more than once a year? (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: Black-Eyed Susan blanket. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Felix Bingham of Rolls Royce (on left) says if you win $370 ,000 at track today, you can drive this home. (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: Sweaty horses on the track. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Playing the long game: These guys are wearing a shirt with a photo of themselves wearing these red hats, and next year? A new shirt with a photo of them wearing this year’s shirts. Jason Lee, 25, Mitchell Zack, 24, and Aaron Krens, 24, are also fans of this afternoon’s performers, Childish Gambino and Armin van Buuren. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: David Feather and his daughter Shannon. (Jean Marbella/Baltimore Sun)

: Cold beverages await customers at Pimlico before racing. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun)

: Last-minute betters, unite. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: The Winner’s Circle: Where everyone wants to end up. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Oh hayyyy. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Deputy Commissioner Kevin Davis meets some of the Baltimore Police horses. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Rachel Fleming, 27, of Hamilton (R) has been to the Preakness a few times, and scored free tickets this year. She brought along first-timer and high school friend Sierra Yelity-Paul, 28, of Pikesville. They don’t know Childish Gambino’s or Armin van Buuren’s music, but Yelity-Paul looked up a few songs before today, and Fleming’s little brother was excited Rachel got to see some emerging acts. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Childish Gambino. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: More spoils for the eventual Preakness winner. (Jeff Barker/Baltimore Sun)

: Crossing the finish line at Race 7. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: From left, Josh Haywood, 23, of Columbus; Brandon Pinnock, 23, of Baltimore; and Tate Steinhilber, 26, of Pittsburgh. Like many others today, they came to Preakness because “It’s a bucket list kind of event,” Steinhilber said. They aren’t fans of Armin van Buuren, but came for the experience, not a specific act. “I’m pretty sure we would have come no matter who was playing,” Pinnock said. They said Preakness’ timing is likely what saved it from being affected by unrest in Baltimore. They agreed if the six officers involved in the Freddie Gray case hadn’t been charged, or if a development had occurred in the last few days, things might have been different. “If it had been a week earlier maybe, but this is kind of a different crowd,” Haywood said. (Quinn Kelly/Baltimore Sun)

: Talked to Scott Van Pelt, who saw things years ago in the Infield “I’ve still not recovered from.” (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: The traffic directing situation was not ideal. But at long last, we have arrived, and here’s a horse to prove it! (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: The goal, they say, is to get here first. (Colin Campbell/Baltimore Sun)

: Childish Gambino comes on, pretty much right on schedule. “I know you all have been drinking all day, but when this song comes on I need you to f—–g lose it,” he says. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Peter Martin, 23, poses with his friends in his pumpkin suit. “Who else is going to be wearing a Halloween suit at Preakness?” Martin, who lives in Reisterstown said. As for sporting a polyester suit in sweltering heat, “It’s not been enjoyable,” the “Pumking” said. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Taking in Race 10 in the Grandstand. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Throngs of die-hard fans brave the torrential downpour and line up at the track shortly before the running of the Preakness race. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: Snagged one blurry, rainy shot of the champion. Back in the Grandstand for the sake of my poor phone. (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)

: These ladies topped plastic ponchos with eye-catching hats to keep their style intact while watching a rain-soaked race. “We came out and we were like, hey, that’s the race we want to see,” said Enjoli Nelson, 36, of Houston (second from left). They had money on American Pharoah, which sweetened the victory, and plan to stick around for the last race of the day. Left to right, Sharita Cooper, 29, of Washington; Nelson; Erica Williams, 28, of Bowie; and Shontae Hewlett, 36, of New Orleans, “where we’re not afraid of rain.” (Quinn Kelley/Baltimore Sun)