Re: High Ho Pimlico! (1017 Views)
Posted by:
Mall (IP Logged)
Date: May 09, 2002 12:40PM
Which, believe it or not, was their marketing slogan when I was a regular there. I don't know if attending 3-4 times a week for 2 yrs many yrs ago(71-73) & 23 straight Preakness weekends makes me an expert(particularly since I didn't even know why the track was called Old Hilltop until I read Seabiscuit), but my understanding has always been that the 1st turn is the problem, and that the reason is that most or all of the jockeys with speed horses are vying for inside position on a trk that is often very conducive to inside speed, especially in 1 1/16 races. I have seen dramatic changes in the trk condition between Fri & Sat on many occasions & one peculiar thing which has always stuck with me is that the trk seems to favor closers when it is muddy or sloppy. Finally, a word to the wise if you plan on going. Don't wander into the surrounding neighborhood, particularly if you are wasted, because it is a little rough, as in the bartender I saw collect the cash in a lazy susan type device behind a bullet proof window.