Sunrise Tours at Pimlico – May 12th, 13th, and 14th
Mine That Bird – photograph by Jimmy McCue
A discussion on the neighborhood list serve made me aware of the Sunrise at Old Hilltop tours during Preakness Week. Having lived in Mount Washington for nearly my entire life, I had never realized that this opportunity to see the racetrack up close during Preakness week existed. It seems like a much more interesting and civilized way to experience Pimilico during Preakness week. For any neighbors that are interested, I have gathered more information below about the event and some perspectives from Diana Harbaugh, Director of Printing and Promotions. There is no cost to attend the tours and reservations are not taken. You simply have to show up on the Grandstand apron anytime between 6 am and 9 am on the mornings of the tours. There is an invitation only Alibi Breakfast also on Thursday morning, May 13th. The tours do not include breakfast, but there are donuts, fresh fruit and beverages provided each morning. If you go, walk or park in the lot in front of the Grandstand and there will be signs directing visitors to the Grandstand apron for the tours. The Preakness website provides the following description of the experience:
Sunrise at Old Hilltop
Experience sunrise over Old Hilltop at Pimlico. The 20 minute tours run from 6am – 9am, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Preakness Week. After enjoying sunrise on the Grandstand Apron, you will get an insider’s perspective on racing during an escorted tour of the Preakness Stakes Barn. You never know who you may run into on the backside…trainers, vets, owners, blacksmiths, exercise riders or jockeys. The Barn area is one place you can count on an interesting story! You will have an opportunity to shop for Preakness Souvenirs, stop by the Pimlico Museum and maybe even peek into the jockey’s quarters, then head back outside to watch the horses go through their morning workouts. The tour guides bring with them a wealth of experience and add a personal touch that can’t be beat!Reservations are not taken, tours are on a first come, first serve basis. For more information email Diana Harbaugh at dharbaugh@marylandracing.com.
Ms. Harbaugh provides the following description of the Sunrise Tours, which she said has provided “some of the most interesting times in my 18 year career at the track…”
Sunrise Tours – photograph by Jimmy McCue
I love early morning at the track. Trainers, exercise riders, grooms, blacksmiths, vets, etc. are hard at work and still, it’s the quiet time of the day. The horses train or work-out singly or in twos or threes…much different than when an entire field thunders toward the finish line. To quote my daughter, “it’s like the calm before the storm”. It’s awesome to stand in the chilly air on the apron and watch a horse and rider on the track when the sun come up and the only sounds are hoofs hitting dirt and the breath of the horse.
There is a buzz of energy at Pimlico, right before Preakness, that you can feel to your bones, but in the early hours that energy takes second place to hard work. One thing is obvious, that the people working with the horses are doing exactly what they want to do and it’s a pleasure to watch. When we head to the barns, we never know who we will run into, and most of the time, whoever it is, is willing to take a few minutes and tell us about their job. We talk to vets, blacksmiths, trainers, grooms, TV personalities, etc.; and the stories we hear are priceless.
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