Horse racing carries major momentum going into the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes Saturday, May 16 at Laurel Park, even with the announcement that Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Golden Te
To Derby or not to Derby. It’s an interesting predicament facing trainers who have horses “on the cusp” of the leaderboard earning points to be a Kentucky Derby contender. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas was famous for his, “You can't win it if you're not in it” philosophy.
The roar of the crowd fades, and the hooves that moments ago thundered down the stretch settle into a steady rhythm on the walk back to the barn. But for a racehorse, crossing the finish line for the last time isn’t the end of their story — it can mark the beginning of something entirely new.
Named for the first winner of Pimlico’s original race, the Preakness Stakes occupies a special place in the heart of the American turf. This 1 3/16-mile classic asks 3-year-olds to try a distance just a sixteenth of a mile shorter than the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby, a test of their stamina, conditioning, and heart two weeks after the first jewel of the Triple Crown.
For many horse racing fans, the voice of the track becomes just as memorable as the races themselves. University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program student Nathan Klein will take the next step toward becoming one of those voices when he begins his new role in June as a track announcer at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
