Hold your horses. While Saturday is all about that big race at Old Hilltop, there are several other Preakness-related events around the area. So if you're looking for a few fun, festive and far-out things to do before and on the big day, here are some suggestions:
Sunrise at Old Hilltop Witness the calm before the crowds descend upon Pimlico Race Course. From 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday and Friday, visitors can enjoy an escorted tour of the Preakness Stakes Barn, a chat with a trainer and a view of the horses going through their morning workouts. Events begin at the Pimlico Grandstand, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Free admission. Call 410-542-9400 to reserve a spot.
Preakness Crab Derby Race on over to Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St., at noon Thursday and catch sight of some speedy crustaceans. True, a crab's going to do what a crab wants to do, but it's still fun to watch as local media celebrities try (oftentimes in vain) to will their stubborn crabs to the finish line in the 19th annual Preakness Celebrity Blue Crab Derby. The winner (of the human variety) will be awarded $500 to be donated to their charity of choice. Free for spectators. Call 410-685-6169 or go to lexingtonmarket.com.
FOR THE RECORD - A listing in Thursday's Live section incorrectly listed the admission price to Black-Eyed Susan Day at Pimlico Race Course. The correct admission price is $3. The Baltimore Sun regrets the error.
Black-Eyed Susan Day Filly Rachel Alexandra has shown how fast the girls can go - she's set to run in the Preakness. And many of her filly comrades are set to take part in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the middle leg of the "Filly Triple Crown," Friday at Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. The Grade II stakes race is for 3-year-old fillies and offers a 1 1/8-mile test for the horses. Black-Eyed Susan Day also features other stakes races. Gates open at 10 a.m. Cost is $100. For tickets, call 410-542-9400 or go to ticketmaster.com.
Preakness Parade of Lights Call it a pep rally for the big event. The Preakness Celebration Parade of Lights, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. downtown Friday, features equestrian units, local musicians, colorful and illuminated floats and more. Baltimore native and Dancing With the Stars contestant Stacy Keibler serves as this year's grand marshal. Also set to participate are the Baltimore All-Stars Marching Unit, the Baltimore Westsiders Marching Band, the Afro-Brazilian percussion group Batala Percussion Band, the Baltimore City Mounted Police Unit, the Anheuser-Busch World Famous Clydesdales, as well as Zydeco Cowboyz and Zydeco Cowgirlz. The parade steps off at Pratt and Eutaw streets and travels east on Pratt Street to Market Place. The reviewing stand is at Pratt and Light streets. Free. Call 542-9400 or go to preaknesscelebration.com.
