triple crown

• Politics

Maryland Jockey Club seeks $4.4 million in state reimbursement for improvements — all for Laurel Park track

The Maryland Jockey Club is asking the state racing commission for $4.4 million in subsidies for racetrack improvements — all of it for Laurel Park.

By Doug Donovan

Jun 18, 2019

• Sports

Baltimore-area sports news: Laurel Park hosting early post time on Saturday for Belmont

Laurel Park will open its doors at 11 a.m. on Saturday so that fans can bet the Belmont Stakes card.

• Sports

How to bet the 2019 Belmont Stakes: Liam Durbin handicaps the final leg of the Triple Crown

Based off the morning line, the Belmont Stakes boils down to two horses, War of Will and Tacitus, according to Liam Durbin.

• Features

In 1919, Maryland-trained Sir Barton became first Triple Crown winner

One hundred years ago, Maryland-trained thoroughbred Sir Barton was the first winner of what would become known as horse racing’s Triple Crown.

By Mike Klingaman

Jun 6, 2019

• Sports

Five storylines for the 2019 Belmont Stakes

Is there a compelling reason to watch the 2019 Belmont Stakes? Here are that and four other storylines heading into the June 8 race.

By Childs Walker

May 31, 2019

• Opinion

Well played, Stronach. You embarrassed Baltimore. Now what?

Stronachs succeeded in making Pimlico look horrific on national television so what should city leaders do in return?

• Sports

As he soaks up Preakness win, Mark Casse sees no reason for War of Will to step off Triple Crown trail

Mark Casse was at Pimlico Race Course before 6 a.m. Sunday, relishing his Preakness victory and looking ahead to a Belmont Stakes run for War of Will.

By Childs Walker

May 19, 2019

• Sports

War of Will wins 144th Preakness two weeks after treacherous run at Kentucky Derby

A confounding Triple Crown season continued Saturday when War of Will won the Preakness in an upset at Pimlico Race Course.

By Childs Walker

May 18, 2019

• Sports

Preakness 2019: Improbable’s gate hiccup hushes Baffert’s record bid; Maryland-bred Alwaysmining 11th

Improbable entered the 144th Preakness as a favorite, but trainer Bob Baffert knew before his horse left the gate that those odds wouldn’t come through.

By Nathan Ruiz

May 18, 2019

• Sports

Schmuck: Despite another strange day at Pimlico, the Preakness delivers a happy ending

Columnist Peter Schmuck gives his take on the Preakness and everything that led up to War of Will's victory.

By Peter Schmuck

May 18, 2019

• Maryland

Traffic enforcement officer struck by vehicle near Pimlico after Preakness, police say

A female traffic enforcement officer was struck by a vehicle on Northern Parkway near Interstate 83 about 8 p.m. Saturday, according to Baltimore Police. 

By Kevin Rector

May 18, 2019

• Sports

Preakness 2019: Bodexpress throws jockey, then luckily stays out of the way

Bodexpress threw Hall of Fame jockey John Velasquez in the starting gate, but fortunately stayed out of the way while running around the track at Pimlico.

By Don Markus

May 18, 2019

• Sports

Preakness Stakes 2019 guide: How to watch, updated odds, schedule and more

The 144th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown. The race, which is 1 and 3/16 miles, features 3-year-old thoroughbreds.

• Sports

At Pimlico, it's the Preakness jockeys who've had the most interesting moves

Improbable has three wins in his six starts. Mike Smith will be the fourth jockey aboard — and he’s already faced the first three on the track.

By Jonas Shaffer

May 18, 2019

• Sports

Improbable is the Preakness favorite, but even trainer Bob Baffert says parity reigns

Trainer Bob Baffert has brought a parade of mighty horses to the Preakness. He's not sure his 2019 favorite, Improbable, belongs in their company.

By Childs Walker

May 17, 2019

• Sports

For trainer Brad Cox, first Preakness entry is a chance of a lifetime — times two

Brad Cox is a rising star in the horse training business, and the 144th Preakness Stakes will give him his first shot at a Triple Crown race.

By Don Markus

May 16, 2019

• Sports

How to bet the 144th Preakness: Liam Durbin handicaps the second leg of the Triple Crown

Liam Durbin handicaps Saturday's 144th Preakness.

• Sports

Schmuck: During Preakness week, unwanted sideshows overshadow Baltimore's best showcase

From the controversial Kentucky Derby, to the water main break this week at Pimlico to the uncertain future of the Preakness, the news all seems to be bad.

By Peter Schmuck

May 15, 2019

• Sports

With no star at the center, Preakness field of 13 is finalized, led by favorite Improbable

With no Kentucky Derby winner on hand to serve as its central star, the Preakness is left with a diverse field of 13 horses, led by favorite Improbable.

By Childs Walker

May 15, 2019

• Sports

A disputed winner in a Triple Crown race? 39 years ago, it happened at the Preakness

In 1980, a steward helped resolve the disputed Preakness in which the winner, Codex, was absolved of fouling his rival, a celebrated filly named Genuine Risk.

By Mike Klingaman

May 15, 2019

• Sports

Union workers at Pimlico Race Course avert strike before Preakness by ratifying contract with pay raise

Days before the horse racing world turns its eyes on Pimlico for Preakness weekend, employees at the Baltimore track averted a strike, approved a contract

By Doug Donovan

May 14, 2019

• Maryland

Kim Boniface, member of prominent Harford County horse racing and breeding family, dies at age 51

Kim Boniface, a member of the prominent horse racing and breeding family of Bonita Farm in Darlington, died Friday. She was 51.

By Erika Butler

May 14, 2019

• Sports

Maryland-bred Alwaysmining looking to make Preakness history for trainer (and former teacher) Kelly Rubley

Alwaysmining could become the first Maryland-bred Preakness winner since 1983 and make Kelly Rubley the first female trainer to win a Triple Crown race.

By Childs Walker

May 14, 2019

• Sports

After rough ride in Kentucky Derby, War of Will trainer Mark Casse has moved on to Preakness

Just as he did after Classic Empire lost the 2017 Preakness by a head, trainer Mark Cassse is not looking back as War of Will gets ready for Preakness.

By Don Markus

May 14, 2019

• Sports

D. Wayne Lukas-trained Market King confirmed for Preakness; expected field of 12 would be largest since 2011

Market King, trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, will be entered in the 144th Preakness Stakes, the Maryland Jockey Club’s racing office confirmed.

• Opinion

Changing tracks would alter Triple Crown

Moving Preakness to a different track alters the competition for the Triple Crown.

• Sports

Preakness 2019: 268 horses nominated for undercard at Pimlico Race Course

A total of 268 horses were nominated to the eight stakes, four graded, worth $1.15 million in purses that support the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes.

• Sports

Digest (May 8): Pimlico's 12-day meet opens Thursday

Championship racing returns to Pimlico Race Course on Thursday for the opening of its 12-day Preakness Meet at Pimlico, highlighted by the 144th running of the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes on May 18.

• Maryland

Howard sweeps Howard County boys and girls outdoor track and field championships

Howard High School swept the Howard County boys and girls outdoor track and field championships on May 6-7, 2019, at Long Reach High School.

By Jacob Calvin Meyer

May 7, 2019

• Sports

Derby winner Country House won't run in the Preakness Stakes, in another blow to Pimlico

Country House, the 65-1 longshot who was handed a Kentucky Derby victory by disqualification, will not run in the May 18 Preakness Stakes because of a developing illness, the first time in 23 years that the Derby winner will not compete for the second jewel in the Triple Crown.

By Childs Walker

May 7, 2019

• Sports

Maximum Security won't run in the Preakness Stakes, but Bob Baffert-trained Improbable will be in the field

Gary West also says he will file an appeal with the Kentucky racing commission Monday.

By Childs Walker

May 6, 2019

• Sports

Kentucky Derby notebook: Baffert's trio can't do better than fourth

Kentucky Derby notebook: In a race defined by a controversial disqualification, trainer Bob Baffert's highly touted trio of contenders never challenged the lead.

By Childs Walker

May 4, 2019

• Sports

Kentucky Derby 2019: Top storylines to watch

There’s nothing quite like the Kentucky Derby, with its collision of 20 costly, hope-filled odysseys, all sorted out over two frantic minutes before a bellowing crowd of 150,000-plus.

By Childs Walker

May 3, 2019

• Sports

Schmuck Stops Here: Some Kentucky Derby wagering wisdom and notes from the wider world of sports

Peter Schmuck's light-hearted predictions for the Kentucky Derby, Orioles and Ravens notes and few other items.

By Peter Schmuck

May 3, 2019

• Sports

Kentucky Derby trainers ponder wide-open field without scratched favorite Omaha Beach

With morning-line favorite Omaha Beach out of the Kentucky Derby, rival trainers forecast a wide-open scramble among top contenders. Meanwhile, the scratched favorite's trainer, Richard Mandella, licked his wounds from an epic disappointment.

By Childs Walker

May 2, 2019

• Sports

How to bet the 145th Kentucky Derby: Liam Durbin handicaps the first leg of the Triple Crown

Liam Durbin handicaps the 2019 Kentucky Derby now that morning-line favorite Omaha Beach has been scratched.

• Sports

Morning-line favorite Omaha Beach scratched from 145th Kentucky Derby

Omaha Beach, the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby, was scratched from the race Wednesday afternoon because of an upper respiratory problem.

By Childs Walker

May 1, 2019

• Sports

Omaha Beach to start from No. 12 post as morning-line favorite in 145th Kentucky Derby

Omaha Beach, undefeated in two major prep races this year, is the 4-1 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $3 million Kentucky Derby.

By Childs Walker

Apr 30, 2019

• Sports

Digest (April 27): Alwaysmining on pace for Preakness; Senior Senator wins Hunt Cup

Runnymede Racing’s multiple stakes winner Alwaysmining resumed training this week and continues to progress toward his graded-stakes debut in the 144th Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.

• Sports

Digest (April 20): Senior Senator repeats as Grand National steeplechase winner

Senior Senator repeats as Grand National steeplechase winner

• Maryland

Mystic Strike takes 109th My Lady’s Manor steeplechase

Mystic Strike, ridden by Mark Beecher, took the win in the feature race Saturday of My Lady's Manor steeplechase in Monkton, the first of the Maryland Steeplechase Triple Crown.

• Sports

Digest (April 13): Mystic Strike surges to victory in My Lady's Manor steeplechase race

Mark Beecher, a Fallston-based amateur jockey, took the inside trip with Upland Partners’ Mystic Strike in Saturday’s $50,000 My Lady’s Manor, surged to the lead at the final fence, and held off a hard-charging Witor to win Saturday’s 109th running of the Maryland timber classic.

• Opinion

Drumming up interest in Preakness

The city, including The Sun newspaper, needs to do a better job at drumming up interest in Preakness.

• Sports

Ten contenders to watch for the 2019 Kentucky Derby (Version 2.0)

Here's our latest update on the top 10 contenders to watch for the 2019 Kentucky Derby.

By Childs Walker

Apr 12, 2019

• Sports

How to attend, what you need to know about Maryland's Triple Crown steeplechase races

Each year, Maryland hosts three of the biggest races in the country. The first is Saturday, with the 109th running of My Lady's Manor, followed by the 117th running of the Grand National (April 20) and the 123rd running of the Hunt Cup (April 27).

• Opinion

Preakness belongs in Park Heights

Renovating Pimlico and keeping the Preakness in Baltimore is not only about keeping our history of almost 150 years intact, it's also about improving quality of life for Park Heights residents, creating jobs, offering an opportunity to those without opportune circumstances,

• Maryland

Future of the Preakness — whether in Baltimore or Laurel — lands before Annapolis lawmakers

Boosters of Baltimore — from Mayor Catherine Pugh to longtime residents of Park Heights — urged a different, brighter future for Pimlico Race Course before the House Ways and Means Committee in Annapolis.

By Kevin Rector

Mar 1, 2019

• Sports

Pimlico vs. Laurel: A look at the facilities

A visual comparison of Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness, and Laurel Park, which might host the second jewel of the Triple Crown in the future.

• Sports

Baltimore leaders to rally in Annapolis on Friday morning to 'save the Preakness'

Baltimore leaders plan to bus residents to Annapolis for a “big rally to keep the Preakness in Baltimore.” It comes as General Assembly lawmakers consider bills central to the future of horse racing in Maryland — and pivotal to the location of the Preakness Stakes, part of the Triple Crown.

By Luke Broadwater

Mar 1, 2019

• Sports

As Pimlico faded, its owners were pouring money into their Laurel track. Was anyone watching?

State and local lawmakers have said for years they do not want to see the Preakness leave Baltimore. Yet no one raised any alarms as Pimlico's owner was focusing most of its finances of turning Laurel Park into a "super track" that would host the third leg of the Triple Crown.