Strong start led to shaky times, but track has survived nicely

Posted: Mon May 11, 1998 at 9:46 PM ET

Pimlico, which opened in 1870, is America's second-oldest track    (Maryland Jockey Club)

BALTIMORE (CNN/SI) - America's second-oldest race track has seen its share of down times, but has weathered those nicely to become a trademark on America's horse racing calendar.

A glance back into the storied track's history reveals a prophetic note in that very first Preakness. Could there have been a more appropriately named three-year-old to win the first Preakness at Pimlico in 1873?

Pimlico, America's second-oldest track behind Saratoga (opened in 1864), is celebrating its 128th anniversary this year. Currently, the first stages of an extensive renovation program are underway at the Baltimore track. Pimlico, which opened in 1870, has earned its patina of age, weathering small and major wars, recessions, depressions -- including the Great One of the 1930's -- fires and storms as well as the all-leveling destruction of passing time.

More than 50 years ago when Alfred G. Vanderbilt was young and president of the Maryland Jockey Club, he made a pertinent observation: "Pimlico is more than a dirt track bounded by four streets. It is an accepted American institution, devoted to the best interests of a great sport, graced by time, respected for its honorable past."

A half century later, Pimlico, with another youthful president, Joseph A. De Francis, has taken on more stature -- indeed it has become a national treasure.

Despite its one hundred and twenty-eight years -- America was a young 94 when the track opened -- Pimlico is marked by a reassuring vitality. The old track is not living in the past, although the memories and the names of old swirl around in a delightful backdrop.

Pimlico presently remains squarely fixed in the midst of the ongoing thoroughbred story. The Pimlico Special, revived in 1988, has been instantly restored to its glory days as an American classic race. Like old times, Cigar, the 1995 winner of the Pimlico Special, was named Horse of the Year.

The Preakness is involved in its own revival. The past ten runnings have been attended by nearly a million people at Old Hilltop.

Once again, there is a stirring in the nation's barns as the three-year-olds move toward their engagements in the time-honored rite known as the Triple Crown.

Pimlico, a blend of the old and the new, is ready again to play its role in determining the latest champion.

Some years ago, Pimlico employed a promotional slogan-"Pimlico-a place for old friends and young horses."

It's time again for the old friends to assemble and of course those entertaining, if unpredictable, young horses.

The Maryland Jockey Club, 1998 Preakness Stakes Media Guide and website contributed to this report.