Alibi Breakfast Message One of Thankfulness
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The May 14 Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Race Course had its usual moments of levity, but this year thankfulness set the tone given the recent unrest in the city of Baltimore.
A little more than a month before, 25-year-old Freddie Gray sustained injuries while in police custody and died seven days later. His death triggered unrest in parts of the city and resulted in deployment of the Maryland Army National Guard.
The situation was contained and six Baltimore police officers await a trial after being charged in Gray's death, which was ruled a homicide. Given the importance of the May 16 Xpressbet.com Preakness Stakes (gr. I) to Baltimore and the state of Maryland, this year's race and related events have special meaning, officials said.
"It has been a very difficult time for Baltimore," said Keith Mills, a sportscaster for local WBAL-TV. "We're glad you're here."
"This is my fourth consecutive year giving the invocation at the Alibi Breakfast, and I've really come to appreciate what the Preakness means to Baltimore," said the Rev. William Lori, archbishop of Baltimore. "It's more than a sporting event. It unites us in a way that is especially applicable this year.
"May (Baltimore) be a place of peace, justice, and opportunity for all."
"I think Baltimore really needs this race to happen, and I can't wait for it," said Sal Sinatra, who last December was hired as vice president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Pimlico and Laurel Park. "I'm really excited for everybody here and wish them the best of luck."
MITCHELL: MJC's Sinatra Prepares for Preakness 140
Lori each year selects a horse in the Preakness with a focus on the horse's name. He didn't select any of the morning-line choices.
"It's hard for a guy in my line of work not to like Divining Rod," Lori said. "But there is a disclaimer: No higher power has told me that horse is going to win the race. And please, pray for no rain."
The latest weather forecast for the Baltimore area calls for a high temperature of 88 degrees and a 40% chance of afternoon thunderstorms on Preakness Day.
Several people were honored the breakfast, which began in the 1930s as an informal get-together of horsemen and others in the clubhouse to discuss their horses' chances. The event, held the Thursday of Preakness week, is now a well-attended gathering in which the public, horsemen, legislators, dignitaries, and racing officials mingle.
Mike Gathagan, who left the MJC earlier this year after serving about 14 years as vice president of communications, was recognized for his contributions. Gathagan is now vice president of communications for the Maryland Catholic Conference.
He was on hand at the breakfast, as Mike Kane of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Association offered some words of appreciation.
"During a short period of time, Mike made a different in this sport," Kane said of Gathagan, who oversaw Preakness communications as well as the media department for year-round racing at the two tracks. "Many of us would say this is the best in the Triple Crown (from a media relations standpoint). Mike would also say, 'Respect the event,' and thanks to him I think we all respect the Preakness."
Anna "Rosie" Napravnik, who began her riding career in Maryland about 10 years ago and announced her retirement last November to start a family, received the Special Award of Merit. She won her first race in 2005 at Pimlico and went on to become the first female rider to win the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and two Breeders' Cup races.
Napravnik couldn't attend the breakfast, but her sister, Jasmine, read her acceptance speech, which in part said: "I see the Maryland racetracks as the setting for my improbable dreams. Racing is known as a cut-throat business, but in Maryland racing has always been more like a community."
The David F. Wood Memorial Award for outstanding Preakness story of 2014 was presented to Joe Clancy of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred; Jonathan Newton of the Washington Post received the Jeff Frutkoff Preakness Photography Award sponsored by Nikon for best photo of 2014; and Eclipse Award-winning freelance writer John Scheinman and New York Racing Association announcer Larry Collmus were given the Old Hilltop Award for covering horse racing with excellence and distinction.
SCHEINMAN: Memories of a Master
Ben's Cat, bred, owned, and trained by King Leatherbury, is this year's honorary postmaster for the Preakness. In 20 years since the honorary postmark was instituted for Preakness, only one other horse—Cigar in 1996, the first year—has been honorary postmaster.
Ben's Cat, who has won 28 of 46 races, most of them in Maryland, is entered in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint, the ninth race at Pimlico May 15.