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.
Orb, co-owned by Stuart Janney III, won Kentucky Derby glory Saturday — through the mud — in 2:02.89 to win by 261/27 lengths. Can Orb win the Triple Crown? He’ll have to prove himself again come May 18 at the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland in the second leg of the thoroughbred racing competition. Weigh in on our FB page or in the comments section.
View more photos from the 139th Kentucky Derby.
The 166th running of the Grand National Steeplechase was held on Saturday in Liverpool, England. The world’s most famous jumping race, the Grand National features 40 horses and riders jumping 30 fences over a distance of almost four and a half miles. For spectators, the race is an excuse for some outlandish race day fashions and a chance to earn some major quid. Essentially, think of the Grand National as Britain’s Preakness or Kentucky Derby – with whatever that entails.
In Indonesia, dozens of child jockeys — some as young as eight — competitively race at a track outside of Bima for prizes, which includes two cows at the group level and a grand prize of one million rupiah or $100. “This year, the races near Bima lasted for 11 days and attracted nearly 600 horses, many from the nearby islands of Sumba, Bali, Lombok and Flores,” wrote Beawiharta of Reuters.
Photos taken by Beawiharta. Read the full article here.
Kungfu students perform during the Zhengzhou International Shaolin Wushu Festival, Hindu devotees sacrifice animals and burn effigies during Dussehra, hard economic times brings unorthodox sponsors to Greek soccer, French activists demonstrate against the upcoming law authorizing gay marriage and adoption and more in today’s daily brief.
An Indonesian community spiffs up their dead relatives, birds on a wire, young victims in the Middle East and more in today’s daily brief.
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Pink flamingos, a baby rescued, ski jumping in France, Palio racing in Siena and more in today’s daily brief.
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The third day of horse racing at the five day meet of Royal Ascot is traditionally known as Ladies’ Day. The women come fashionably dressed and usually sporting hats of all different shapes and styles making for a visual treat.
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The 2012 Preakness was billed as a rematch between Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another and runner-up Bodemeister. It was exactly that. In the end, I’ll Have Another went on to win the 137th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. His next stop is the Belmont Stakes in New York for a chance to win the Triple Crown in June. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.
Take a look at I’ll Have Another from his Kentucky Derby win to training at Pimlico Race Course and his Preakness Stakes win.
Baltimore Sun photographer Kim Hairston spent the week at Pimlico Race Course covering the horses preparing for this weekend’s Preakness Stakes. Here are some of our favorite outtakes.
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