Latest news with #Preakness150
Mint
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Enter Metallica: Sandman has some hard-rocking fans going into the Preakness
BALTIMORE (AP) — Mark Casse was not a Metallica guy until he began training Sandman. Now he is a big fan. The band has returned the favor. Front man James Hetfield met the horse at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby, and he and the rest of Metallica filmed a video for Casse and Co. wishing Sandman well in the Preakness this weekend. 'We're excited to cheer on the people's horse, Sandman, who's heading to Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore this Saturday for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown,' Hetfield said. 'Metallica would like to wish Sandman and his awesome team good luck for a safe and winning trip at Preakness 150. Enter Sandman!' Metallica also sent shirts to outfit the entire Casse Racing operation. Casse sent a hat signed by Hetfield to a friend and received in return a pair of Metallica-logoed underwear. 'I will be wearing them,' Casse said. 'There'll be no stone unturned.' Sandman could use luck turning in his favor after finishing seventh in the Derby. Accustomed to being in the back of the pack, he struggled in the slop as he had more mud kicked back in his face than normal because of the 18 horses ahead of him. 'He just never got comfortable,' Casse said. 'That's why we're here. We're going to throw that one out. Hopefully we get a better track on Saturday, and even if we don't, we're only going to have eight horses throwing mud back at us.' Todd Pletcher-trained River Thames was one of the latest-arriving Preakness horses, getting to Baltimore on Wednesday. The strapping colt took to the track at Pimlico for the first time Thursday morning, galloping a mile under exercise rider Nick Merritt. 'Just trying to keep him happy for the race, essentially,' Merritt said. 'Chill, chill horse. He's taking it all in.' Pletcher has won the Derby twice and the Belmont Stakes four times. A Preakness victory is the last thing missing from his Triple Crown resume, and River Thames opened as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line after 8-5 favorite Journalism and Sandman at 4-1. The far corner of the stakes barn at Pimlico during Preakness week has seen many Hall of Fame trainers, including good friends Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas chatting, telling stories and, often, giving each other and anyone within earshot a hard time. They took their buddy comedy on the road for the annual Alibi Breakfast, roasting and poking some fun at fellow trainers. Lukas said he tried to talk Mike McCarthy out of having Journalism in the No. 40 stall usually reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner. 'That's the kiss of death — you can't put him in there,' Lukas said. 'I told him to go over and get him into another stall. Bob said: 'No, no, leave him there. Leave him there.' Don't make him feel comfortable. He's already got the favorite." Baffert responded: 'The best horse wins the race, Wayne. It doesn't matter what stall he's in.' Lukas and Baffert then turned their attention to Casse, who is based in Ocala, Florida, but is the most accomplished trainer at Woodbine Racetrack outside Toronto. 'We've got to watch out for this Mark Casse; he's won the Sovereign Award as leading trainer in Canada about 35 times or something,' Lukas said. 'What happens in Canada stays in Canada,' Baffert quipped. 'It's like Vegas, OK?' Lukas chimed back in: 'It doesn't count. Mark, nothing counts in Canada.'
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Enter Metallica: Sandman has some hard-rocking fans going into the Preakness
BALTIMORE (AP) — Mark Casse was not a Metallica guy until he began training Sandman. Now he is a big fan. The band has returned the favor. Front man James Hetfield met the horse at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby, and he and the rest of Metallica filmed a video for Casse and Co. wishing Sandman well in the Preakness this weekend. 'We're excited to cheer on the people's horse, Sandman, who's heading to Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore this Saturday for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes , the second leg of the Triple Crown,' Hetfield said. 'Metallica would like to wish Sandman and his awesome team good luck for a safe and winning trip at Preakness 150. Enter Sandman!' Metallica also sent shirts to outfit the entire Casse Racing operation. Casse sent a hat signed by Hetfield to a friend and received in return a pair of Metallica-logoed underwear. 'I will be wearing them,' Casse said. 'There'll be no stone unturned.' Sandman could use luck turning in his favor after finishing seventh in the Derby . Accustomed to being in the back of the pack, he struggled in the slop as he had more mud kicked back in his face than normal because of the 18 horses ahead of him. 'He just never got comfortable,' Casse said. 'That's why we're here. We're going to throw that one out. Hopefully we get a better track on Saturday, and even if we don't, we're only going to have eight horses throwing mud back at us.' Calm River Thames Todd Pletcher-trained River Thames was one of the latest-arriving Preakness horses, getting to Baltimore on Wednesday. The strapping colt took to the track at Pimlico for the first time Thursday morning, galloping a mile under exercise rider Nick Merritt. 'Just trying to keep him happy for the race, essentially,' Merritt said. 'Chill, chill horse. He's taking it all in.' Pletcher has won the Derby twice and the Belmont Stakes four times. A Preakness victory is the last thing missing from his Triple Crown resume, and River Thames opened as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line after 8-5 favorite Journalism and Sandman at 4-1. Baffert and Lukas The far corner of the stakes barn at Pimlico during Preakness week has seen many Hall of Fame trainers, including good friends Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas chatting, telling stories and, often, giving each other and anyone within earshot a hard time. They took their buddy comedy on the road for the annual Alibi Breakfast , roasting and poking some fun at fellow trainers. Lukas said he tried to talk Mike McCarthy out of having Journalism in the No. 40 stall usually reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner. 'That's the kiss of death — you can't put him in there,' Lukas said. 'I told him to go over and get him into another stall. Bob said: 'No, no, leave him there. Leave him there.' Don't make him feel comfortable. He's already got the favorite.' Baffert responded: 'The best horse wins the race, Wayne. It doesn't matter what stall he's in.' Lukas and Baffert then turned their attention to Casse, who is based in Ocala, Florida, but is the most accomplished trainer at Woodbine Racetrack outside Toronto. 'We've got to watch out for this Mark Casse; he's won the Sovereign Award as leading trainer in Canada about 35 times or something,' Lukas said. 'What happens in Canada stays in Canada,' Baffert quipped. 'It's like Vegas, OK?' Lukas chimed back in: 'It doesn't count. Mark, nothing counts in Canada.' ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Enter Metallica: Sandman has some hard-rocking fans going into the Preakness
Trainer Bob Baffert is seen at Pimlico Race Course ahead of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant River Thames works out at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman is walked around the barn at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman, left, works out at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman is bathed after a workout at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman is bathed after a workout at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Trainer Bob Baffert is seen at Pimlico Race Course ahead of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant River Thames works out at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman is walked around the barn at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman, left, works out at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Preakness Stakes entrant Sandman is bathed after a workout at Pimlico Race Course, Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) BALTIMORE (AP) — Mark Casse was not a Metallica guy until he began training Sandman. Now he is a big fan. The band has returned the favor. Front man James Hetfield met the horse at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby, and he and the rest of Metallica filmed a video for Casse and Co. wishing Sandman well in the Preakness this weekend. Advertisement 'We're excited to cheer on the people's horse, Sandman, who's heading to Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore this Saturday for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown,' Hetfield said. 'Metallica would like to wish Sandman and his awesome team good luck for a safe and winning trip at Preakness 150. Enter Sandman!' Metallica also sent shirts to outfit the entire Casse Racing operation. Casse sent a hat signed by Hetfield to a friend and received in return a pair of Metallica-logoed underwear. 'I will be wearing them,' Casse said. 'There'll be no stone unturned.' Sandman could use luck turning in his favor after finishing seventh in the Derby. Accustomed to being in the back of the pack, he struggled in the slop as he had more mud kicked back in his face than normal because of the 18 horses ahead of him. Advertisement 'He just never got comfortable,' Casse said. 'That's why we're here. We're going to throw that one out. Hopefully we get a better track on Saturday, and even if we don't, we're only going to have eight horses throwing mud back at us.' Calm River Thames Todd Pletcher-trained River Thames was one of the latest-arriving Preakness horses, getting to Baltimore on Wednesday. The strapping colt took to the track at Pimlico for the first time Thursday morning, galloping a mile under exercise rider Nick Merritt. 'Just trying to keep him happy for the race, essentially,' Merritt said. 'Chill, chill horse. He's taking it all in.' Advertisement Pletcher has won the Derby twice and the Belmont Stakes four times. A Preakness victory is the last thing missing from his Triple Crown resume, and River Thames opened as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line after 8-5 favorite Journalism and Sandman at 4-1. Baffert and Lukas The far corner of the stakes barn at Pimlico during Preakness week has seen many Hall of Fame trainers, including good friends Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas chatting, telling stories and, often, giving each other and anyone within earshot a hard time. They took their buddy comedy on the road for the annual Alibi Breakfast, roasting and poking some fun at fellow trainers. Lukas said he tried to talk Mike McCarthy out of having Journalism in the No. 40 stall usually reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner. Advertisement 'That's the kiss of death — you can't put him in there,' Lukas said. 'I told him to go over and get him into another stall. Bob said: 'No, no, leave him there. Leave him there.' Don't make him feel comfortable. He's already got the favorite." Baffert responded: 'The best horse wins the race, Wayne. It doesn't matter what stall he's in.' Lukas and Baffert then turned their attention to Casse, who is based in Ocala, Florida, but is the most accomplished trainer at Woodbine Racetrack outside Toronto. 'We've got to watch out for this Mark Casse; he's won the Sovereign Award as leading trainer in Canada about 35 times or something,' Lukas said. Advertisement 'What happens in Canada stays in Canada,' Baffert quipped. 'It's like Vegas, OK?' Lukas chimed back in: 'It doesn't count. Mark, nothing counts in Canada.' ___ AP horse racing:
Winnipeg Free Press
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Enter Metallica: Sandman has some hard-rocking fans going into the Preakness
BALTIMORE (AP) — Mark Casse was not a Metallica guy until he began training Sandman. Now he is a big fan. The band has returned the favor. Front man James Hetfield met the horse at Churchill Downs before the Kentucky Derby, and he and the rest of Metallica filmed a video for Casse and Co. wishing Sandman well in the Preakness this weekend. 'We're excited to cheer on the people's horse, Sandman, who's heading to Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore this Saturday for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown,' Hetfield said. 'Metallica would like to wish Sandman and his awesome team good luck for a safe and winning trip at Preakness 150. Enter Sandman!' Metallica also sent shirts to outfit the entire Casse Racing operation. Casse sent a hat signed by Hetfield to a friend and received in return a pair of Metallica-logoed underwear. 'I will be wearing them,' Casse said. 'There'll be no stone unturned.' Sandman could use luck turning in his favor after finishing seventh in the Derby. Accustomed to being in the back of the pack, he struggled in the slop as he had more mud kicked back in his face than normal because of the 18 horses ahead of him. 'He just never got comfortable,' Casse said. 'That's why we're here. We're going to throw that one out. Hopefully we get a better track on Saturday, and even if we don't, we're only going to have eight horses throwing mud back at us.' Calm River Thames Todd Pletcher-trained River Thames was one of the latest-arriving Preakness horses, getting to Baltimore on Wednesday. The strapping colt took to the track at Pimlico for the first time Thursday morning, galloping a mile under exercise rider Nick Merritt. 'Just trying to keep him happy for the race, essentially,' Merritt said. 'Chill, chill horse. He's taking it all in.' Pletcher has won the Derby twice and the Belmont Stakes four times. A Preakness victory is the last thing missing from his Triple Crown resume, and River Thames opened as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line after 8-5 favorite Journalism and Sandman at 4-1. Baffert and Lukas The far corner of the stakes barn at Pimlico during Preakness week has seen many Hall of Fame trainers, including good friends Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas chatting, telling stories and, often, giving each other and anyone within earshot a hard time. They took their buddy comedy on the road for the annual Alibi Breakfast, roasting and poking some fun at fellow trainers. Lukas said he tried to talk Mike McCarthy out of having Journalism in the No. 40 stall usually reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner. 'That's the kiss of death — you can't put him in there,' Lukas said. 'I told him to go over and get him into another stall. Bob said: 'No, no, leave him there. Leave him there.' Don't make him feel comfortable. He's already got the favorite.' Baffert responded: 'The best horse wins the race, Wayne. It doesn't matter what stall he's in.' Lukas and Baffert then turned their attention to Casse, who is based in Ocala, Florida, but is the most accomplished trainer at Woodbine Racetrack outside Toronto. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'We've got to watch out for this Mark Casse; he's won the Sovereign Award as leading trainer in Canada about 35 times or something,' Lukas said. 'What happens in Canada stays in Canada,' Baffert quipped. 'It's like Vegas, OK?' Lukas chimed back in: 'It doesn't count. Mark, nothing counts in Canada.' ___ AP horse racing:
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maryland Governor Unveils Plans For New Pimlico Race Course, Training Center
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Board of Public Works have approved a demolition package for Pimlico Race Course and the acquisition of Shamrock Farm in Carroll County to serve as the premier training center hub of Thoroughbred racing in Maryland. The actions mark a critical step forward in growing local and statewide economies, in addition to promoting the future of Thoroughbred racing in the state. 'Today we take another step toward a new, reimagined Pimlico,' said Gov. Moore. 'I thank my colleagues on the Board of Public Works, the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Stadium Authority, the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, and our local community partners for securing the future of Preakness in Maryland. Together, we will continue to drive economic growth in Park Heights, throughout Baltimore, and across the entire state.' During the meeting, representatives from the Maryland Stadium Authority revealed the design concept for Pimlico Race Course, which will begin demolition and restoration following Preakness 150 on May 17. 'We are excited to deliver a new, modern Pimlico for racing fans and the Park Heights community,' said Maryland Stadium Authority Chairman Craig Thompson. 'But this work is bigger than a racetrack, as historic and important as it is. This is about bringing hundreds of millions of dollars in state investment to Park Heights and working in partnership with MEDCO and the local community to realize a shared vision for the future.' The Maryland Stadium Authority — in partnership with The Maryland Jockey Club and the Park Heights community — will oversee the construction of the new Pimlico Race Course. The new facility will support approximately 500 jobs and will be a year-round hub of economic activity in Park Heights. Pimlico, which currently hosts about 15 racing days per year, will become the permanent home of Maryland Thoroughbred racing with well over 100 racing days annually. The site design unveiled today will also create a strong and consistent identity, with a new clubhouse inspired by grand Baltimore landmarks such as the Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park and the original Pimlico Clubhouse. The approved acquisition of Shamrock Farm sets in motion one of the largest state investments in Carroll County in recent history, following a two-year investigation of more than eight sites across six Maryland counties. The State of Maryland will direct at least $110 million to the new training center, which will offer 328 pastoral acres to create a best-in-class training facility with more than 800 boarded horses, housing for backstretch workers, and a training track with dimensions identical to those at Pimlico. 'Two years ago, we were tasked with creating and implementing a sustainable thoroughbred racing strategy for the state,' said Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority Chairman Greg Cross. 'I'm proud to say that we have completed our work ahead of schedule. Pimlico is safely in state hands, we set up a nonprofit operator to run the track, and at Shamrock Farm we have the ideal location for a world-class training center.' The Shamrock Farm acquisition is supported by the Carroll County government, which has agreed to commit $1.5 million to offset infrastructure costs. 'Carroll County is thrilled Shamrock Farm has been selected as the site for Maryland's horse racing training facility,' said Carroll County Board of Commissioners President Kenneth A. Kiler. 'Shamrock's 328 acres combined with Carroll's rich equestrian tradition brings well-deserved notoriety to this beautiful farm and the area. We are honored to be playing such an integral role in this long-term endeavor. The county has committed 1.5 million dollars to the state project and is looking forward to seeing the plans come to fruition
