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The 150th Preakness is the last at old Pimlico before demolition. Winners share their top memories

The 150th Preakness is the last at old Pimlico before demolition. Winners share their top memories

BALTIMORE (AP) — The wrecking ball is coming to Pimlico Race Course, a long-awaiting demolition of the dilapidated racetrack that opened in 1870 and for decades has seen better days.
A section of grandstand has been condemned since 2019, ceiling tiles are missing from the part of the structure that is still safe to occupy and there is a crack in one of the large windows looking out at the track. The Preakness Stakes
will move
to nearby Laurel Park in 2026 while construction of the new Pimlico takes place, with the aim of the second jewel of horse racing returning to its historic home in Baltimore in 2027.
But first is the 150th running of the Preakness this Saturday, one that
without the Kentucky Derby winner
will be a tribute to a century and a half of some legendary races and horses who made their mark on the sport. Much like Belmont Park in New York
when it reopens
after getting knocked down and rebuilt, Pimlico will not be the same.
'I'm going to really miss it,' 89-year-old Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas said. 'It's always been one of my favorites, and I speak for the other trainers, too. I have never talked to a trainer that worked through the Preakness that didn't enjoy this the most.'
Two-time Triple Crown-winning trainer Bob Baffert had to make sure, 'They're keeping the track, right?' Most horsemen would love to see the old-fashioned, close-together barns stay the same, as well.
'It's a different vibe: It's chill,' Baffert said. 'It has a lot of charm to it.'
Before contemplating the future, five Preakness champions share their favorite memories at the place nicknamed 'Old Hilltop.'
Bob Baffert
No one has won the Preakness more times than Baffert's eight, from Silver Charm in 1997 through
National Treasure in 2023
.
'Five of them were really exciting because we went for the Triple Crown,' Baffert said. 'When Silver Charm won, I was just hoping to hit the board. And then he wins it and then I'm like, 'Oh wow, what do I do now?' I'll never forget that.'
Silver Charm finished second in the Belmont Stakes, then Real Quiet the next year gave Baffert consecutive Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners. The 1998 race was just as memorable
for the power outage
caused by a transformer fire in the area and another smaller blaze in an air conditioner in the jockeys' room on a 96 degree day.
'It was so hot,' Baffert said. 'I loved Real Quiet coming in. He was doing so well. ... I just really felt really confident about him, and for him to win it and we were going for the Triple Crown and I'd just gone through it with Silver Charm. It was just weird that back to back, like, 'Wow, how lucky am I?''
Real Quiet was also second in the Belmont, and in 2002 Baffert hit the Derby-Preakness double with War Emblem before an eighth-place finish stopped the Triple Crown bid. Baffert was lucky enough to sweep all three races in 2015 with American Pharoah and then again with
Justify in 2018
— a Preakness run in sloppy, foggy conditions.
'I hope that big white face is in front when we come out of the fog,' Baffert said during the race. 'And he was.'
D. Wayne Lukas
Entering thoroughbred racing from the sprinting world, Lukas at the 1980 Preakness was referred to by his fellow trainers as 'the quarter-horse guy.' That year brought his first of
seven wins
, saddling a record 48 horses in the race through 2024, as he became a staple of the race.
'The one that probably made the biggest impact on me was Tabasco Cat (in 1994),' Lukas said this week. 'That was the horse that ran over my son and eventually cost him his life.'
Jeff Lukas was run over when Tabasco Cat got loose in the stable area at Santa Anita in California on Dec. 15, 1993, and the 36-year-old was still in a coma for the Preakness. He suffered permanent injuries, dying nearly three decades later in 2016.
'When he won, it was kind of unexpected,' Lukas said of Tabasco Cat. 'For them to lead that horse in (to the winner's circle) and everything, that probably had the biggest impact. There was a lot of emotion with it with Jeff involved.'
Jerry Bailey
The Hall of Fame jockey had not won a Triple Crown race more than a decade into his riding career when he had the Kentucky Derby favorite in Hansel in 1991. They finished 10th.
'Never showed up at all,' Bailey said. 'He was such a disappointment.'
Trainer Frank Brothers initially wanted to skip the Preakness before deciding to run Hansel after all. Bailey didn't know what to expect, and Hansel galloped away from the field, winning by one of the biggest margins in the race's history.
'He was so dominant,' said Bailey, now an NBC Sports analyst. 'I won by seven lengths or something, and I was embarrassed that I hit him as many times as I did because he didn't need it, obviously, but maybe I did.'
Mark Casse
'You want to know my worst one?' Casse said. 'Classic Empire getting beaten at the wire.'
That was 2017, when Cloud Computing finished a head in front of Casse's Classic Empire. Two years later came a rollercoaster ride of a lifetime.
Son Norm put his arm around his father during the Kentucky Derby and told him he's about to win it with War of Will. Then Mark Casse's horse clipped heels with Maximum Security, who crossed the finish line first
and was disqualified
for interference.
War of Will miraculously stayed up
and kept running on the way to finishing eighth.
'I was just happy that he was safe,' Casse said about avoiding what could have been a series of horses and jockeys going down. 'That would've been just devastating for racing. I was just happy that he was OK.'
OK but not without some pain. Each of War of Will's front feet were bruised, and he was almost scratched from the Preakness unbeknownst to everyone but his trainer.
'The week after the Derby was pretty nip and tuck,' Casse said. 'You know when I decided for sure — I never told anybody — that I was going to run him? About 10 o'clock Preakness morning. Until that point, I was not 100% sure I was going to run him.'
During the week, D. Wayne Lukas, from his usual seat in the corner of the stakes barn, defended War of Will when someone looked at the horse and said he had no chance.
'Wayne said, 'You just watch him run,'' Casse recalled. 'And
Wayne was right
.'
Steve Asmussen
Curlin beating Street Sense in the 2007 Preakness was the 'turning point in our barn's trajectory,' according to Asmussen, who now
has the most career wins
of any trainer in North America. It got even better two years later when he won it with filly Rachel Alexandra.
'I had never experienced when we walked out of the barn with Rachel for the 2009 Preakness: Everybody was on her side,' Asmussen said. 'You go to the races and people have their favorites and who they're rooting for. But running Rachel was different than anything I had done previously or since.'
___
AP horse racing:
https://apnews.com/hub/horse-racing

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Brett Favre's heartfelt reaction to Vikings legend Jim Marshall's passing
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Brett Favre's heartfelt reaction to Vikings legend Jim Marshall's passing

The post Brett Favre's heartfelt reaction to Vikings legend Jim Marshall's passing appeared first on ClutchPoints. Jim Marshall left a massive imprint on the football world, embodying the toughness and ferocity that defined the sport for so many decades. His legacy is especially powerful for those who have represented or rooted for the Minnesota Vikings. Current and former members of the organization sent their condolences following Marshall's passing on Tuesday. Advertisement Brett Favre, who donned the Purple and Gold for the last two years of his Hall of Fame career, can understand what it means to withstand grueling punishment year after year for the love of the game. He also knows what this man meant to The Gopher State. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback shared some kind words and reflected on No. 70's enduring impact. 'Man, I'll never forget the day I got to meet Jim Marshall — one of the true original Iron Men of the NFL,' Favre posted on X. 'Tough as nails, played 282 consecutive games as a defensive end… in an era when the game was as gritty and raw as it gets. 'Growing up watching guys like Jim, I learned what it meant to show up every single Sunday, no matter what. To have had the chance to shake his hand — and even play in front of him — was a real honor. 'Guys like Jim paved the way. They didn't ask for attention, they earned respect with every snap. I tried to bring that same mindset to the field every week. My condolences go out to him and his family — but he's certainly a legend among legends.' What Jim Marshall gave to the Vikings and their endlessly loyal fans Marshall's 270 consecutive starts rank only behind Favre's 297. The longtime defensive end congratulated the gunslinger in person for breaking his record, for he knows the physical and mental sacrifice required to post such an astonishing attendance record. Though, Marshall did far more than simply show up. Advertisement The No. 44 overall pick in the 1960 NFL Draft played 19 of his 20 seasons with Minnesota (began career with Cleveland Browns) and was a pivotal member of the iconic Purple People Eaters defense, which also consisted of Alan Page, Carl Eller and Gary Larsen. Marshall served a vital role during what is still the greatest era of Vikings football, helping the team reach the Super Bowl four separate times. Unfortunately, the team and community are still waiting for their first Lombardi Trophy. When impatience rises throughout Minneapolis, it is good to revisit or learn about the prosperous 1970s. Jim Marshall, who died at the age of 87 after a lengthy stay in the hospital, is responsible for so many of those memories. Yes, he also produced many chuckles via his infamous 'Wrong Way Run' in 1964, but the two-time Pro Bowl selection helped set the stage for the defensive warriors who have come after him, just as Favre noted. Marshall recorded 130.5 unofficial sacks (was not counted as a stat until 1982) and 29 opponent fumble recoveries in his storied NFL career. More than the numbers he accumulated, however, he breathed life into the Minnesota Vikings. The beloved captain was an inaugural member of the franchise and stayed connected to the team well after his retirement. He inspired Brett Favre and so many others, and by the sound of it, they will do their part to make sure his invaluable contributions are properly recognized moving forward. Related: Purple People Eaters legend who played 270 straight games passes away Related: 3 Minnesota Vikings hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to know

Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising
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Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising

After running — or more like barely surviving — my first half-marathon about a decade ago in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long-distance run ever again. That was until I learned that Nike was hosting the Nike After Dark tour, a women's race series designed to celebrate women and encourage them to get into the sport. The L.A. half-marathon — the tour's only stop in the U.S. — was slated to include a concert with Grammy-winning rapper Doechii at the end of the 13.1 mile race. Given that Nike has built a reputation for curating cool, culture-forward experiences, I figured this would be the perfect way for me to get out of my years-long retirement from running. Plus, several of my friends were participating so it was bound to be a good time. Advertisement Read more: 18 inspiring L.A. run clubs to kickstart your running era After training for several weeks at parks and tracks around L.A., I hit the pavement alongside nearly 15,000 participants — 43% of whom were first-time half-marathoners — on Saturday evening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The event sparked a lot of online chatter — not all positive — with some runners calling the race disorganized and a marketing event catered to influencers. As for me, I experienced several highs during the energetic event, but also some moments of frustration and confusion. Here's how the night went down, from the starting line (and the journey in getting there) to the high-octane concert finale. Pre-race: Getting to the starting line was a marathon in itself Knowing that thousands of people were expected to participate in the event, I opted to get to the SoFi Stadium about an hour and a half early to avoid traffic. In hindsight, I should've arrived even earlier. Several streets were blocked off due to the race, but once I found the parking lot, it was easy for me to find a spot — much easier than it was at the recent Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert a few weeks prior. (While registration for the race started at $150, parking was thankfully free for those who secured a spot ahead of time.) After experiencing long lines and a delayed start time, runners gather in their assigned corrals to prepare for the 13.1-mile race. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) I followed a herd of people toward the entrance where we went through a security checkpoint, then a bag check line, which took about 30 minutes to get through. Afterward, I rushed outside to find my friends and waited in yet another line — this time for the porta-potties — which took about 40 minutes. The starting line, at last By this time, there were only about 10 minutes until race time and I still needed to stretch, so my group ran over to the starting corrals. The race was initially scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but an emcee announced that it was being pushed back to 6:45 p.m. This made me nervous because the concert was set for 9:30 p.m., so this meant that I'd have less than three hours to finish if I wanted to catch the show. Advertisement In the weeks leading up to the marathon, some participants took to social media to voice their concerns about Nike changing its course time from four hours — as it stated on the registration form — to three hours. In one Threads post, a runner said: "If the whole purpose of this event was to reclaim running by giving women a space to feel safe running at night, then why wouldn't you be inclusive to runners of all paces?" In response to the feedback, Nike ultimately set the course time to three hours and 17 minutes, allowing for an average mile of 15 minutes per mile, according to a Nike spokesperson. The brand added a shorter course option, which was nine miles, so participants could still cross the finish line, receive a medal (a silver necklace with a giant Nike swoosh) and enjoy the concert. Despite the confusion, people were amped. "I'm at this phase in my life where I really want to prove to myself that I can do hard things," said Ayanna Fox, 29, of Chino Hills, on why she wanted to participate. Misty Garcia, 17, a Venice High School student, said: 'I felt like this race in particular was so interesting because it was going to be mostly women and it's about women empowerment, so I love it.' Advertisement As Charli xcx's "360" played over the speakers, Nike trainers along with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Olympic hurdler Anna Cockrell, hyped up the crowd as each corral took off. This was the point when my nerves started to kick in because I was eager to get started. About 7:05 p.m., a burst of smoke popped. I was finally off and running. Host Elisa Hernandez, from left, Diljeet Taylor, Anna Cockrell and Jordan Chiles at the Nike After Dark Tour in L.A. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Miles 1-7: The excitement of activations, DJs and cheering fans The first seven miles were the most exhilarating for me. I felt strong and confident about my pace. And for my legs, this stretch was smooth sailing. Hundreds of people were cheering from the sidelines and holding up signs with statements like "You run better than our government," "Hot girls run half marathons" and "Hurry up so we can drink." Drivers along the freeway were honking for us. DJs played upbeat house and hip-hop music. USC's band performed. Between the six- and seven-mile marker, we ran through a tunnel that was filled with flashing red lights and bubble machines. The energy was electric. Supporters cheer and hold signs as runners embark on the Nike After Dark half marathon in L.A. Several brands including Flamingo, Honey Stinger (which gave out free energy gels and snacks) and Beats by Dre had activations along the course. There was even a recovery station with couches, restroom trailers and snacks. Advertisement Read more: I walked 27.4 miles across L.A. in one day on Washington Boulevard. Here's what it taught me Miles 8-10: The pain sets in Just before Mile 8, my headphones died and that's when the hills started to get to me. I felt like I was running up and down a sharp roller coaster. Without music, I was forced to talk myself through the final stretch. But it was in these trenches that I noticed several sweet moments of community care: a volunteer passing out Bengay cream, a group of friends holding up a woman as she limped, runners shouting out their home countries and waving their flags in the wake of the ICE raids that were happening in our city at this very moment. It was a beautiful reminder of how much better we are as people when we support one another. Supporters record and cheer as runners embark on the Nike women's half-marathon at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Around Mile 10, I spotted Chris Bennett, Nike's running global head coach, giving out high-fives and encouraging people to push forward. (He even ran with the last bunch of runners and helped them across the finish line.) (Clockwise from the top left) 1. Taylor Contarino waits in her assigned corral before the Nike After Dark half-marathon. 2. People gather in their assigned corrals. 3. Cassandra Grossman ties her shoes in her assigned corral before the Nike After Dark half-marathon. 4. Runners start the Nike After Dark half-marathon at SoFi Stadium. 5. A large group of runners move through the first turn for the Nike After Dark half-marathon. The final mile — or was it? As I neared the end, I felt bamboozled because there were at least two massive archways that looked like the finish line, but actually weren't. I still had a ways to go. I could've cried tears of joy when I finally reached the end. I clocked in at three hours and three minutes, which I was pleased with because my only goals were to finish, have fun and make it to the concert. The winner was Sofia Camacho, a drag artist and Nike run coach based in New York, who clocked in at one hour, 15 minutes and 25 seconds. Hundreds of supporters line the course as runners embark on the Nike After Dark Tour in Los Angeles. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) After grabbing my medal, I walked as fast as my sore limbs would allow back inside the stadium. The trek felt tortuous because we had to climb up multiple sets of stairs, then journey down a walkway that was roughly 10 levels that felt never-ending until we reached the bottom where the stage was. Some people gave up on watching the show simply because they didn't have the energy to make it down. The grand finale: Doechii brings the energy By the time I got there, I was disappointed to see that Doechii was already on her final two songs of her 30-minute set, but the energy was so high that I quickly forgot and just enjoyed the moment while I could. The show ended just before 10:40 p.m. while some folks were still running including one of my friends who missed the show and wasn't able to get a pair of Barbie pink Nike slides and socks they were passing out. The night ends and yet the trek continues After the show, we were instructed to exit the stadium — thankfully there was an escalator — but I still had to muster up the energy to go back to the entrance at the other side of the stadium so I could retrieve my belongings from the bag check area. My legs were finished by the time I got to my car. Advertisement Aside from some logistical issues and long wait times, I enjoyed participating in the Nike After Dark Tour. The course was challenging but doable, and running alongside thousands of women and allies of various ages and backgrounds at night felt empowering. Runners received a ton of freebies, particularly at the bib pickup at the Grove, which included a dri-fit T-shirt and makeup from Milk. As someone who typically avoids cardio in my workout sessions, this race has inspired me to continue hitting the pavement and exploring this beautiful city on foot. And who knows, I just might sign up for another race. Runners take off for the women's half-marathon, which started at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times) Sign up for The Wild newsletter to get weekly insider tips on the best of our beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising
Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising

Los Angeles Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Los Angeles Times

Inside Nike's all-women half-marathon in L.A.: the good, the bad and the surprising

After running — or more like barely surviving — my first half-marathon about a decade ago in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long-distance run ever again. That was until I learned that Nike was hosting the Nike After Dark tour, a women's race series designed to celebrate women and encourage them to get into the sport. The L.A. half-marathon — the tour's only stop in the U.S. — was slated to include a concert with Grammy-winning rapper Doechii at the end of the 13.1 mile race. Given that Nike has built a reputation for curating cool, culture-forward experiences, I figured this would be the perfect way for me to get out of my years-long retirement from running. Plus, several of my friends were participating so it was bound to be a good time. After training for several weeks at parks and tracks around L.A., I hit the pavement alongside nearly 15,000 participants — 43% of whom were first-time half-marathoners — on Saturday evening at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The event sparked a lot of online chatter — not all positive — with some runners calling the race disorganized and a marketing event catered to influencers. As for me, I experienced several highs during the energetic event, but also some moments of frustration and confusion. Here's how the night went down, from the starting line (and the journey in getting there) to the high-octane concert finale. Knowing that thousands of people were expected to participate in the event, I opted to get to the SoFi Stadium about an hour and a half early to avoid traffic. In hindsight, I should've arrived even earlier. Several streets were blocked off due to the race, but once I found the parking lot, it was easy for me to find a spot — much easier than it was at the recent Kendrick Lamar and SZA concert a few weeks prior. (While registration for the race started at $150, parking was thankfully free for those who secured a spot ahead of time.) I followed a herd of people toward the entrance where we went through a security checkpoint, then a bag check line, which took about 30 minutes to get through. Afterward, I rushed outside to find my friends and waited in yet another line — this time for the porta-potties — which took about 40 minutes. By this time, there were only about 10 minutes until race time and I still needed to stretch, so my group ran over to the starting corrals. The race was initially scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m., but an emcee announced that it was being pushed back to 6:45 p.m. This made me nervous because the concert was set for 9:30 p.m., so this meant that I'd have less than three hours to finish if I wanted to catch the show. In the weeks leading up to the marathon, some participants took to social media to voice their concerns about Nike changing its course time from four hours — as it stated on the registration form — to three hours. In one Threads post, a runner said: 'If the whole purpose of this event was to reclaim running by giving women a space to feel safe running at night, then why wouldn't you be inclusive to runners of all paces?' In response to the feedback, Nike ultimately set the course time to three hours and 17 minutes, allowing for an average mile of 15 minutes per mile, according to a Nike spokesperson. The brand added a shorter course option, which was nine miles, so participants could still cross the finish line, receive a medal (a silver necklace with a giant Nike swoosh) and enjoy the concert. Despite the confusion, people were amped. 'I'm at this phase in my life where I really want to prove to myself that I can do hard things,' said Ayanna Fox, 29, of Chino Hills, on why she wanted to participate. Misty Garcia, 17, a Venice High School student, said: 'I felt like this race in particular was so interesting because it was going to be mostly women and it's about women empowerment, so I love it.' As Charli xcx's '360' played over the speakers, Nike trainers along with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Olympic hurdler Anna Cockrell, hyped up the crowd as each corral took off. This was the point when my nerves started to kick in because I was eager to get started. About 7:05 p.m., a burst of smoke popped. I was finally off and running. The first seven miles were the most exhilarating for me. I felt strong and confident about my pace. And for my legs, this stretch was smooth sailing. Hundreds of people were cheering from the sidelines and holding up signs with statements like 'You run better than our government,' 'Hot girls run half marathons' and 'Hurry up so we can drink.' Drivers along the freeway were honking for us. DJs played upbeat house and hip-hop music. USC's band performed. Between the six- and seven-mile marker, we ran through a tunnel that was filled with flashing red lights and bubble machines. The energy was electric. Several brands including Flamingo, Honey Stinger (which gave out free energy gels and snacks) and Beats by Dre had activations along the course. There was even a recovery station with couches, restroom trailers and snacks. Just before Mile 8, my headphones died and that's when the hills started to get to me. I felt like I was running up and down a sharp roller coaster. Without music, I was forced to talk myself through the final stretch. But it was in these trenches that I noticed several sweet moments of community care: a volunteer passing out Bengay cream, a group of friends holding up a woman as she limped, runners shouting out their home countries and waving their flags in the wake of the ICE raids that were happening in our city at this very moment. It was a beautiful reminder of how much better we are as people when we support one another. Around Mile 10, I spotted Chris Bennett, Nike's running global head coach, giving out high-fives and encouraging people to push forward. (He even ran with the last bunch of runners and helped them across the finish line.) As I neared the end, I felt bamboozled because there were at least two massive archways that looked like the finish line, but actually weren't. I still had a ways to go. I could've cried tears of joy when I finally reached the end. I clocked in at three hours and three minutes, which I was pleased with because my only goals were to finish, have fun and make it to the concert. The winner was Sofia Camacho, a drag artist and Nike run coach based in New York, who clocked in at one hour, 15 minutes and 25 seconds. After grabbing my medal, I walked as fast as my sore limbs would allow back inside the stadium. The trek felt tortuous because we had to climb up multiple sets of stairs, then journey down a walkway that was roughly 10 levels that felt never-ending until we reached the bottom where the stage was. Some people gave up on watching the show simply because they didn't have the energy to make it down. By the time I got there, I was disappointed to see that Doechii was already on her final two songs of her 30-minute set, but the energy was so high that I quickly forgot and just enjoyed the moment while I could. The show ended just before 10:40 p.m. while some folks were still running including one of my friends who missed the show and wasn't able to get a pair of Barbie pink Nike slides and socks they were passing out. After the show, we were instructed to exit the stadium — thankfully there was an escalator — but I still had to muster up the energy to go back to the entrance at the other side of the stadium so I could retrieve my belongings from the bag check area. My legs were finished by the time I got to my car. Aside from some logistical issues and long wait times, I enjoyed participating in the Nike After Dark Tour. The course was challenging but doable, and running alongside thousands of women and allies of various ages and backgrounds at night felt empowering. Runners received a ton of freebies, particularly at the bib pickup at the Grove, which included a dri-fit T-shirt and makeup from Milk. As someone who typically avoids cardio in my workout sessions, this race has inspired me to continue hitting the pavement and exploring this beautiful city on foot. And who knows, I just might sign up for another race.

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