Now in its fifth year, 'Infieldfest' has quickly — and significantly — changed the culture at Preakness

There is an opportunity with the infusion of slot machine money to give thoroughbred racing broader appeal comparable to what it enjoyed decades ago.

Tonight's episode, a two-hour slog through 12 YouTube acts, began with Nick Cannon apologizing for the show before it even got started.

There were still drunk 20-somethings. Still crowds making a ruckus. And people throwing up after one too many beers. But this year, unlike recent Preakness Stakes when infield crowds gained a reputation for debauchery, race goers said the fun-filled party was less out of control.

The website Deadspin reports Kegasus is played by John C. Bailey, a D.C. actor who has been sober for 20 years.

Even non-Marylanders are breaking out the fancy hats and black-eyed Susans

Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another trained Wednesday morning, and his trainer answered questions about a spotty past record and the upcoming rematch with Bodemeister.

Prior to Preakness 2012, Kegasus discusses celebrity crushes and beauty tips.

An early weather forecast for Preakness Stakes 2012 calls for sunny skies and a high of 74 degrees.

Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers will appear just months before defending Olympic title

It would be an ideal day to raise a tumbler of bourbon, mint and simple syrup (traditional drink of the Derby) in a toast looking forward to an era of more civilized enjoyment of the sport of kings.

It was a nice bit of promotional synchronicity for the Maryland Jockey Club, the operator of Pimlico and Laurel Park, the state's major thoroughbred tracks. Later that afternoon it filed its annual financial report with the Maryland Racing Commission, which showed it had lost $5.3 million last year.

Kegasus to return as Lord of the Preakness InfieldFest for second year in a row at Preakness Stakes 2012.

This was a move that was more or less predicted back in February, when several media watchers saw a new anonymous advertising campaign as a transparent bid to create some mystery around the event.

With the Preakness Stakes 2012 date only 60 days away, Maryland horses could have impact on 2012 Triple Crown

Wanted: New mascot for 137-year-old racing event; must appeal to the young and web-savvy; social media experience required. That's the premise of a promotion to unseat Kegasus as the Preakness mascot. The Maryland Jockey Club would seem to be behind the marketing blitz, but it's not taking credit.

Little Big Town, The Darkness, Mr. Greengenes complete Preakness Infield music line-up

Kegasus, the nutty infield mascot for last year's Preakness, is missing, according to race officials.

New ad campaign aims to replace Kegasus as Preakness Infield mascot

Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa will headline this year's Preakness Infield May 19 at Pimlico Race Track, the Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday morning.

Vladimir Guerrero's two-run homer on Sunday powered the Orioles to a 2-1 win and a series victory over the Nationals. ... Brian Roberts will go to Pittsburgh on Tuesday to have a consultation with a renowned expert in sports-related concussions. ...

The Infield shenanigans at the Preakness are legendary -- and they were years before Kegasus came along with his whole ¿Be legendary¿ spiel -- but for young newcomers who came Pimlico today to see drunk people running on porta-potties or playing dodgeball with full beer cans, the Infield is much tamer than expected. Score one for the Maryland Jockey Club, which has succeeded in cleaning up the Infield.

I got a tip that Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff was competing in the Preakness Infield cornhole tournament. If I wasn¿t looking for Cundiff -- who was wearing a polo, shorts and a pair of shades -- I wouldn¿t have recognized him among all the college kids and young professionals tossing bean bags inside the tent.

The Infield bikini competition was held in the late morning today, so I scrambled from the awkwardness that was Kegasus¿ man stall and weaved through a crowd of pervy guys and their angry girlfriends to catch the end of the event. Afterward, I chatted with the winner and couple of other competitors.

You might have heard that the world is coming to an end sometime before the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes. Meanwhile, beer-guzzling Baltimoreans have been mugging Kegasus wherever he galloped today. Might this worship of a pagan god have something to with this whole "Rapture" thing?

Within five minutes of arriving in the Infield at Pimlico this morning, I got snubbed by a centaur who had more important matters to attend to. Fortunately, after watching Mr. Greengenes play a song or two, I stumbled into Stacy Keibler.

The predicted ascension of the righteous into heaven will likely have little effect on those headed to Pimlico Saturday, so why not use the harbingers of the end of times to figure out which horse to bet on?

Preakness Stakes is a reminder of joys and opportunities of Maryland racing.

Two-day Wine in the Woods festival showcases Maryland wine, food

Preakness spokescentaur Kegasus held his first press conference at Pimlico on Monday morning, and as was the case during our chat two months ago, he didn't really say anything of substance. Thankfully, I don't think any of the reporters on hand were expecting to glean a useful sound bite out of the hairy, husky guy in half of a horse costume. They were all there to see the spectacle for themselves, and we got a sneak preview of what Kegasus will look like on Preakness Day. I was hoping his costume would be a two-person operation, but I'm told his hind legs were on wheels.

Rookie starter Zach Britton pitched nine scoreless innings Thursday night, but it took extra innings for the Orioles to beat the Mariners. ... Despite allowing five runs in his past seven outings, Orioles reliever Jason Berken says his shoulder feels great. ... Brian Matusz is scheduled to make a pair of rehab starts next week and could return to the Orioles soon. ... Maryland's 2011 recruiting class has dwindled from three members to zero now that Nick Faust, Sterling Gibbs and Martin Breunig have been granted releases from their letters of intent.

Preakness organizers just released another Kegasus commercial to get beer-chugging, centaur-loving college kids fired up for next weekend's InfieldFest at Pimlico. I'm still confused by the advertising campaign, but it has apparently worked: Ticket sales are up 17 percent. So while I try to figure out what I'm missing here, check out this video of Kegasus blow-drying his hair/mane:

Ticket sales rise 17 percent as organizers court traditional racing fans and young people alike

Whether you're a kid or a grown-up, theme parks aim to amuse.

Despite being in heavily demand, Kegasus, the spokes-centaur for the 2011 Preakness InfieldFest, took time out of his busy schedule to discuss his new gig with the Maryland Jockey Club.

The Orioles' four-man rotation is set. Brian Matusz will start Saturday and Chris Tillman gets the nod for Sunday. ... Earl Weaver will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Monday's home opener and Thurmont¿s Richard Troxell will sing the National Anthem. ... Jennifer Royle from The Fan has filed an $800,000 defamation suit against WNST owner Nestor Aparicio and two of his hosts. ... A four-member Towson entourage expects to conclude interviews at the Final Four and announce a new basketball coach next week.