Pimlico Unscathed, Baltimore Tense 2 Weeks out from Preakness

by T.D. Thornton 
Rioting and violence in Baltimore gave way to relative calm and attempts at a city-wide cleanup on Wednesday. But as a police investigation into the in-custody fatal spine injury suffered by Freddie Gray works its way through the system, Maryland's largest city must brace for more civil unrest, potentially coinciding with the running of the GI Preakness S. at Pimlico Race Course May 16. 

Although sporting events in and of themselves are a minor concern compared to the larger issue of overall public safety, the looting and mayhem that occurred near Baltimore's touristy inner harbor district caused the cancellation of two Orioles baseball games at Camden Yards this week, and a third game on Wednesday was played without fans being admitted to the ballpark, an unprecedented move by Major League Baseball. 

Pimlico, located about 10 miles northwest of the epicenter of the downtown rioting, escaped unscathed. According to an interactive map of the violence posted online by the Baltimore Sun, the closest incident to the racetrack was shots that were reported fired at (but did not hit) a police officer at the intersection of Virginia Avenue and Reisterstown Road, about a mile away from the track. 

“It really hasn't affected us down here other than we're all watching it,” said Tim Keefe, president of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. “Pimlico's open for racing and training as normal, maybe a few more security guys and that sort of thing, but it's been far enough away for us that it hasn't been an issue.” 

Voicemail messages left for Sal Sinatra, vice president and general manager of the Maryland Jockey Club, and Tim Ritvo, president of chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, which owns Pimlico, were not returned before deadline for this story. 

Pimlico was not scheduled to race Monday through Wednesday, but is expected to be open for Thursday's program, according to J. Michael Hopkins, the executive director of the Maryland Racing Commission. 

But if there are contingency plans percolating in the event that unrest re-ignites at the same time as more than 100,000 racegoers descend upon Pimlico for the Preakness, “I'm not aware of any,” said Hopkins. 

Skimming for the word “Preakness” through social media channels suggests that some people are concerned, or might even be considering targeting the second jewel of the Triple Crown for potential protesting. 

“[H]oping peace returns quickly–but does Pimlico have a plan B for Preakness day [?]” wrote one Twitter user. 
“You know the crowd & how much money Baltimore makes from The Preakness, annually? Hit'em…Protest where it hurts,” wrote another. 

“It's not an issue right now, but it's little bit more than just in the back of your mind,” said Keefe. “You saw what happened out in Ferguson [Missouri]. I'm certain that as part of their concerns they'll have to plan a contingency in the event that something like that does happen right around the Preakness.”