Preakness Diaries: Black-Eyed Susan Day

I love Black-Eyed Susan day at Pimlico Race Course – it’s an action-packed afternoon filled with amazing racing, decadent fashion, excellent music and – if you’re lucky – beautiful spring weather. Well, Mother Nature delivered on the sensational weather for Black-Eyed Susan day; it was sunny, warm and breezy, the perfect setup for a fantastic afternoon at Pimlico.

The first thing I saw when I arrived at the track on Friday morning was the Budweiser Clydesdales stretching their legs in the parking lot. It’s so amazing to think that such massive horses are so incredibly gentle and well-behaved; but there they were strolling around, three to a person. So cool! 

Before the day could start properly, I needed to go to the photographers’ meeting; this is when the racetrack’s rules are discussed, questions are asked and spots are assigned to the various photographers at Pimlico for Preakness Stakes weekend. It was held in the winner’s circle, and it was very well-attended. Looks like there are a lot of us in town to cover the middle jewel of the Triple Crown!

While we were in the meeting, work crews were arranging the final touches to the track to make sure that the place gleamed on its biggest weekend of the year.

Shortly after, fans started to pour in for Black-Eyed Susan Stakes day. Like I said, the weather was just perfect, and it was great to see so many people come out to Pimlico to enjoy a stunningly beautiful day at the races.

I decided to head on over to the infield; while the center of Pimlico Race Course gets a reputation for being a bit of a wild place on Preakness Stakes day, it’s a very civilized environment, especially on Black-Eyed Susan day. There were shopping kiosks everywhere offering all sorts of wares perfect for a glamorous day at the races.

I swung by the place I always think I would spend my day if I ever come to the Preakness or Black-Eyed Susan as a fan: the massive tent in the infield. It has delicious food, fully stocked bars, wagering areas and, most importantly (for me, at least!), an amazing view of the horses as they race toward the finish line.

Seriously, take about three steps outside of that tent and this is your view:

Pretty cool, right? It’s also really close to the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan winner’s circle, which in my opinion is one of the most picturesque in the sport:

While I was in the infield, I saw some pretty amazing fashion. People came to Black-Eyed Susan day dressed to the nines, and I was blown away by some of the beautiful ensembles I saw at Pimlico on Friday.

The humans weren’t the only ones dressed up for Black-Eyed Susan day; the pony horses, who escort the Thoroughbreds from the saddling paddock to the starting gate, were in full regalia to celebrate the day:

They were happy to make friends with fans, photographers and security guards alike, too – pony horses are the best!

As the afternoon wore on, Black-Eyed Susans, the signature drink of the weekend, were purchased and enjoyed, as were other libations around the track.

I met this interesting guy, who was selling beer right outside of the entrance near the photographers’ room; he told me his name is Joe Perkins and that he’s the youngest travelling beer vendor in the nation. He said that he has a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame and that he was pitching a reality show about his life. He was such an interesting guy, and if you’re at the Preakness Stakes on Saturday I suggest that you try to track him down!

Then it was time for the major races of the afternoon to start! The buglers, Ryan Resky, Bethann Dixon and Sam Grossman, played the "Call to Post" and fans were alerted that the Hilltop Stakes was about to begin. 

Miss Temple City won the race for local Maryland owner Sagamore Farms; and when the filly returned to the winner’s circle, trainer Graham Motion exchanged a congratulatory fist-bump with jockey John Velazquez.

After the Hilltop Stakes, the Budweiser Clydesdales and their trusty wheel dog Brewer came out to strut their stuff in their full finery. I was up on the roof at this point and was afforded an amazing view of the entire rig as it made its way down the racetrack:

The best part? On the right in the photo below is King Leatherbury, a legendary Maryland trainer who will be inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame this summer. He looked tickled to be up there, and it was wonderful to see such a beloved horseman be celebrated by racing fans in his home state.

The timing was perfect, too, since one of King Leatherbury’s most popular horses, Ben’s Cat, was scheduled to run in the next race, the Jim McKay Turf Sprint. Ben’s Cat is a special horse for a few reasons: he’s nine years old, which is unusual for racehorses; he’s an incredible athlete who’d won 28 of his 46 lifetime starts going into the Jim McKay; and he’s just sensationally beautiful. Ben’s Cat is a fixture on the Mid-Atlantic racing circuit, and as he made his way to the starting gate you could feel the crowd practically willing him to win.
When the horses hit the stretch for the race to the finish line, Bold Thunder had his neck in front of Ben’s Cat. But the old warrior wasn’t done, and Ben got his neck in front of his rival in the final strides before the wire. The place went nuts – people were screaming, cheering – even the photographers and press were thrilled for Ben’s Cat and moved by the courage, determination and heart he always shows.

Jockey Julian Pimentel gave Ben’s Cat lots of pats and praise as they returned to the winner’s circle, and then the whole group posed for their commemorative photo.

The final race before the Black-Eyed Susan was the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes, which was won by Stopchargingmaria. I loved this moment, because this filly actually won last year’s edition of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. How wonderful to see her back in the Pimlico Race Course winner’s circle a year later!

Then it was Black-Eyed Susan Stakes time! This was a very competitive field, and I was excited to see which 3-year-old filly would rule the day at Pimlico. As the horses left the starting gate and ran down the stretch for the first time, it was Keen Pauline who led the field in the opening strides and into the first turn:

And after a mile and an eighth, she was still all alone in front, winning the Black-Eyed Susan with ease for owner Stonestreet Stables and trainer Todd Pletcher.

Jockey Javier Castellano gave so much praise to the accomplished filly as she was escorted back to the winner’s circle, patting and stroking her the entire way. Javi’s smile was so bright it could have lit up the entire Baltimore waterfront for a week.

Then it was time for the winner’s circle presentation. The blanket of Black-Eyed Susans was draped over Keen Pauline’s neck, and Castellano artfully arranged them to flatter the game filly.

As the trio of Keen Pauline, Castellano and Keen Pauline’s groom was about to enter the winner’s circle to collect their due praise, Javi lifted his helmet to the heavens in celebration.

It was the perfect ending to an amazing Black-Eyed Susan day, and I can’t wait to do it all again on Saturday to celebrate the Preakness Stakes! Thank you so much for joining me, and please let me know in the comments what your favorite part of Friday afternoon was!