Whose Party?
Reporting from Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood, home to Pimlico:
A gigantic banner hanging above the racetrack’s main entrance declares the Preakness to be “the people’s race†and “the people’s party.†But those people, for the most part, aren’t from the largely black community around the track, where just gaining admission to the clubhouse and the grandstand will cost you $25 (much more if you want a seat), and where an infield ticket will set you back $70.
“For 50 years, I’ve sat on this porch and have seen people come and go on Preakness day, and most of them are white and rich and look all fancy in their dresses, neckties and shorty-shorts,†said Ruth Spencer, 87, who lives near the corner of Hayward and Winner Avenues, across the street from the track. “But I do love watching the people come by. I feel proud that they’ve come here to my backyard.â€
Move the Preakness to Laurel, says Andrew Beyer.
