Hey all! --
Just back from a few days in Baltimore, and the 144th running of the Preakness Stakes! - I suppose by now, everyone knows that it rained pretty hard
.
And by now everyone probably knows that Pimlico is an aging structure that really shows its flaws when the weather turns poor. By all accounts, this is probably the "next to last" Preakness that will take place at the famed track.
I am sure some of you are wondering, "how bad can Pimlico be"? - Maybe you haven't been to Pimlico in a while. Or maybe you only watch on television, and wonder why all the talk of closing the old girl down, and taking the racing elsewhere? Well, then stand by, 'cause this thread is for you!
So, just to be clear, I have now been to about 9 Preakness days, and I always enjoy myself. This thread is (mostly) meant to be a humorous look at how an aging facility looks on its "biggest" day of the year. Obviously I don't blame the "boots on the ground" folks for anything you are about to see. The folks working at Pimlico are always kind and go out of their way to make sure everyone has a good time.
I suppose if you were looking for a scapegoat, one could blame the Stronach group, as they have pretty much given up trying to make sure paying customers have a good experience.
It is painfully obvious that they simply no longer care. So big thanks to Frank and Belinda Stronach for everything!
Here is a little recap of our day, I even threw in a few photos for fun! -
Ok, so first right out of the box, we skirted the
$65.00 on site Pimlico parking fee by parking in a nice young mans lawn just off Northern Parkway for $20.00 -
- For those who are in the know, this is the "good side" of the track. Hell, I'm up $45.00 of wagering money just by parking the car!
Upon arriving at the main gate off Rogers Ave, we were told that due to the mud at the horse / infield crossing we would be "walking around" the facility to the back side of the clubhouse. (Essentially walking around the sketchy city block, instead of through the facility to get to our seats) The walk was almost exactly half a mile out of our way in the pouring rain. Not the best way to start the day, but hey, we are an easy going bunch!
As a change in policy this year, Pimlico now allows ZERO outside beverage to be brought into the facility. In years past we brought our own soda, and bottled water. Today it was collected at the gate in the name of security. This change was obviously met with some resistance by many longtime seat holders. I was aware of the change, so I willingly left my single bottle of water on the table and after a brief search & frisk, we all walked inside.
- We then made our way up to the 3rd floor to at least find our regular seats. I remind you , WE SIT INSIDE.. This isn't the grandstand area, this is the INSIDE OF THE BUILDING.. However, as we climbed higher, the temperature also climbed. By the time we arrived at our section, it was VERY WARM inside. Obviously they were not running the air conditioner. (Or it was broke?)
As we walked the third floor, it was nice to see that for its biggest day of the year, Pimlico added a nice new water feature for our viewing pleasure.
3rd floor water feature LOL.jpg
Yep, big ole roof leak right in the middle of the 3rd floor.. Oh well.. Walk around and keep going.
Upon reaching our section, and getting REALLY WARM! , I thought I would purchase my first beverage of the day (Now remember, we can't bring our own beverage in any longer) - My prefered choices were a bottled water for $5.00 , or a domestic draft beer for $9.00. I ask what kind of "draft" they have? The answer: "Sorry we don't have any draft, I know the sign says we do , but we don't have any"
(Note to self) - If I ever get the chance to sell a draft beer for $9, I will damn sure make sure I have a truckload of it! -- Ok, so I'll take my first of many $5.00 bottles of water on the day. (For reference, domestic aluminum bottles were $11 or $12? A "mixed drink" was also $12.00 )
- Walking down into our section, we are again reminded of the intense storm outside. (This was in the seating walkway just above our regular seats) - So great to pay top dollar for such a pristine visual experience!
Row above ours (flooded).jpg
And what genius thought cardboard boxes were the best rain water receptacle? Could you imagine if this was your seating area? Yuk!
Ugh... We arrive in our actual seats just below, and sit in the "run off" of the leaking roof. The photo shows my friends boots. The rest of us dealt with puddles of water and semi-wet feet the rest of the day. Yep $140.00 a seat to sit in the water puddle. (I swear, you can't make this up!)
Water at our seats.jpg
So, we take a few moments to ponder the irony of our "water" situation. - (We can't bring it inside, but yet its falling from the ceiling and piling up under our feet)
- Ok, once settled we decide to get down to business and go place a few bets - I consult my trusty scribble sheet while waiting in a small line at the window. In an effort to double check the current odds, I glance at the TV feed directly behind the mutuals area, and I am greeted with the most amazing hi-def race feed I have ever seen...
Crappy TV 3rd floor.jpg
Folks, this isn't my camera acting up, this is the ACTUAL TV FEED in the 3rd floor wagering area. On the biggest day of the year. I could not even make out the odds, or any information. To be fair, there were other TV's down the way and some of those were better..
After struggling through a few races, and $5 water, and wet feet , we actually had a pretty good time. The scratches made the wagering sub par , but we made the most out of it - I did REALLY WELL on the Preakness Stakes (Race 13) , so it made the rest of the days "quirks" a little more manageable.
We walked around, and saw all sorts of crazy stuff - Between the mud and the aging facility, and the pretty girls there was always something to see.
Here is a view on the apron about 3:00 or so (pretty empty)
3 pm Capacity Crowd.jpg
So, I hope you appreciated my look inside the bowels of "Old Hilltop" -
Honestly, if you are a horseplayer and you don't mind:
* Long walks around Baltimore in the rain
* Sweating in your seat all day
* Wet feet
* Long lines
* 4 horse fields
* Crappy TV feed
* And finally, being overcharged for the exact item laying all over the floor..
Maybe the 145th Preakness might just be for you!
I'm sure we will see you there!
(This was meant to be funny, so lets try to keep the comments civil )
We really did have fun! We never once complained,and we
WILL be back next year!
It might be a "dump" , but it is "our dump" and I will be there for what we assume will be the grand finale'
