Do I go to the Preakness?

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Mon May 04, 2009 1:54 pm

OK, so my sister just came back from 4 days in Lexington; went to Keeneland twice, saw the Rolex event Saturday, etc. Brought me back a program and an enormous t-shirt (news flash: I am expecting twins in November!).

She also came over Saturday to watch the Derby, and asked a million questions. She is becoming a racing fan, I think! So--she wants to go to the Preakness in person. With me.

It would have to be a day trip; I need to sing the next day, and my hubby is starting a new job (YAY! Another news flash) the following Monday, so he won't want to go. I'd have to drive with sister and her girlfriend. So . . .

Opinions please: worth it? Is Pimlico as bad as it looks? Can you see anything? Is it fun?
Looking forward to the varying opinions . . .

walaa · Postby **walaa** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:38 pm

preakness has a reputation for being one of the best partys in the world! I know people who have gone that could care less about horses and said it was one of the best times they ever had. Dont know about it being nasty or anything, just that it is supposed to be a much better party than the derby in person. Myself, I didnt have that great a time at the Derby, but I was with a bunch of stiffs when I went

nferro9925 · Postby **nferro9925** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:45 pm

Congratulations on both babies and hubby's new job Toccet02!

I think you should go. It is an experience like no other.
Lots of fun, lots of people - and you might even see a horse
or two! :wink:

docjocoy · Postby **docjocoy** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:22 pm

What exciting news!

Babies and new job for hubby. Congrats, really wonderful. Go to the Preakness, have fun. Have a girls' day of it.

Turn-To Fan · Postby **Turn-To Fan** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:50 pm

Congratulations! I think you should go...I've never been to the Preakness either and I would regret missing a chance to go. Also you need to butter up your sister so she will help with the babies after they arrive (I have a friend who has twins and you will probably need all the help you can get.)

Laurierace · Postby **Laurierace** » Mon May 04, 2009 5:54 pm

Preakness is the highlight of my year every year! I can't wait for it to get here. I have friends come in from all over the country and we have never failed to have a great time. This year is a question mark however as they changed the rules and its no longer BYOB which most likely means most of the partiers will be MIA. I expect it to be by far the tamest, if not down right boring Preakness ever but I am sure we will have fun anyway.

JimbleBrimble · Postby **JimbleBrimble** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:23 pm

Hi,

I went last year for the first time. Had seats way down in the grandstand outside the eighth pole. $75 tickets.

I'd do it again, and wouldn't mind sitting right there. The surroundings were fine, and the betting wasn't inconvenient.

As someone alluded to, no longer will people be able to bring their own alcohol to the infield, so the long-standing Preakness infield traditions of hurling missile-like full cans of beer for distance (beaning scores of innocent people in the process), and firing rocket-like full cans of beer at drunkards running along the tops of rows of port-a-pottys, will likely be curtailed. Use Youtube to view the festivities from the recent past.

With no more alcohol, the scary neighborhood denizens who used to line up with wagons and grocery cards to shuttle your cases of beer to the infield entrance may go by the wayside as well.

We parked at a nearby park-n-ride and took a scheduled shuttle. The whole thing was no problem at all, and very, very comfortable at the Park N Ride.

I'd advise you to go in a heartbeat, particularly if you can get reserved seats at this late date.

Toccet02 · Postby **Toccet02** » Tue May 05, 2009 7:51 am

Thanks, guys...I was expecting more nay-sayers! We would want to go to see something, not just party. Then again, depending on how I'm feeling (every day is a new adventure :wink:

), I may decide to stay home and watch on TV.
I AM very excited that my sis seems to have been captivated by KY! Who wouldn't be???

Barbaro06 · Postby **Barbaro06** » Tue May 05, 2009 3:13 pm

I would say go Toccet, I took my sister to it in 2007 and boy did we enjoy the Preakness! We were in the Turfside Terrace--only thing that sucked was that we were confined to a relatively small area although my sis tried to get into the Preakness Village and was promptly stopped.

The 'hood ain't the greatest, but if you want to see a classic race, I say go for it!!

Congrats on the baby duo!!!