"It has been imitated all over the country and been good for racing everywhere," he said. "It's one of the greatest thrills of my life."
And it provided one of the happiest moments in his life, when Sean's Ferrari, bred by McKay and named for his son, won the Maryland Million Nursery in 1987.
McKay attended every Maryland Million Day from the inaugural in 1986 through 2007.
"He and Margaret loved going to the races," Lang said. "When one of their horses won, you'd think they'd just won the Kentucky Derby or the Breeders' Cup."
Joe DeFrancis, former owner of the Maryland Jockey Club, which operates Pimlico and Laurel, said: "No one ever put more energy, enthusiasm and passion into the game.
"Even though he had seen and covered every major sporting event, including the Olympics, Indy 500 and British Open and had even hit a golf ball over the Great Wall of China, nothing made him happier than coming to the racetrack."
sandra.mckee@baltsun.com
FUNERAL SERVICE
A funeral Mass for Jim McKay is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. A memorial tribute will begin 30 minutes before the service. WMAR will broadcast a news special, including funeral coverage, starting at 10:25 a.m.
