Standing outside the Under Armour corporate tent, ESPN broadcaster and University of Maryland graduate Scott Van Pelt recalled younger years spent in the rowdier Preakness Infield.
"I saw things that I've still not recovered from," he said with a laugh. "There are horrors unknown to man that go on there."
"It's great," he added. "It's great fun to be back."
Van Pelt said he'd spoken to Cam Newton, Jordan Spieth and Steve Spurrier, among others, in the sports celebrity-filled tent over the weekend. He did an admirable Spurrier impression as he recalled a conversation with the South Carolina football coach earlier in the day.
"The Old Ball Coach — he's the best," he said. "We were standing in line, and he said, 'Welp, finally got a ticket!' And I said, 'I haven't won one!'"
Van Pelt told him he'd grown less interested in betting on the races over the years, to which he said Spurrier replied, "I'd rather bet and lose than not have a bet at all."
"Everybody's got a couple dollars on the races, it's what you come here to do," Van Pelt said.