Visitors to the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes, particularly those swaddled in the customary finery befitting the second jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown, can surely be forgiven if they arrive this Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, take their seats, order their bourbon-laced Black-Eyed Susans and express the following thought to their companions: “What a dump.”
Even dressed up for this nationally televised event, Pimlico is no Ascot Racecourse in England. Perhaps it’s the 7,000-seat section of the historic grandstand that had to be closed three years ago and remains deserted and covered by a tarp. Or the cracked blacktop parking lot. Or just the aging of every bit of crumbling fixture and finish in the place. But they ought to be cheered by this thought: Help is on the way.
There may be no outward sign of the major renovation of Pimlico promised two years ago — a much-needed boost to the Preakness, to Maryland thoroughbred horse racing and to the surrounding Northwest Baltimore communities — but behind the scenes, some progress can be measured beginning with legislation that was enacted just last month.
