Charles John “Chick” Lang, who served as director of racing, vice president and general manager during a 27-year stint at Pimlico Race Course, died Thursday. Lang had been in a medical facility in Maryland since the day after Christmas. He was 83. To honor the man known as “Mr. Preakness,” the Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday that they will rename the GIII Hirsch Jacobs S. on the Preakness undercard. Lang was the grandson of trainer John Mayberry, who won the 1903 Kentucky Derby with Judge Himes; his father, Chick Lang Sr., rode Reigh Count to victory in the 1928 “Run for the Roses.” His late son Chickie Lang was a racetrack executive as well, and his grandson, Bart Lang, is the director of racing at Lone Star Park. After his retirement from Pimlico, Lang worked as the racing analyst at WBAL radio in Baltimore, earning two media Eclipse Awards.
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