"Last year we got here at 9:30 and it was packed; it took us 20 minutes to get in," said Lizzie Gomez, 25. "This year we walked right in and wherever we want to sit, no problem."
Gomez praised race officials for adding diversions in the infield, such as the women's beach volleyball match she and her boyfriend viewed.
"It's a test year," said Gomez, a Laurel resident attending her third Preakness. "We'll see what works, what doesn't. I think we're still going to have a great time."
Some came solely for the new events. By 11 a.m, 28-year-old Cari Kurten of Leesburg, Va., and her boyfriend had parked on a blue blanket near the concert stage. They were waiting for ZZ Top even though the bearded rockers weren't due for several hours.
"She is a huge fan," said boyfriend Josh Arendt of Charles Town, W.Va. "I didn't have a choice."
"I don't care about the horse races," Kurten admitted. In fact, the couple planned to depart Pimlico well before the early evening headline event.
Also new this year was a swimsuit contest in which 19 women who work for the Hooters restaurant chain competed for $500, a jewelry gift certificate and lusty cheers from a mostly male crowd. The winner was a server from Baltimore's Harborplace restaurant.
As the women prepared to leave a backstage area, a half dozen security guards stood watching them with rapt expressions. Until, that is, a supervisor showed up.
"Guys," the boss bellowed, "that's not what I'm paying you for!" The guards dispersed, although one muttered, "They said when you go on break, you go on break."
Some racing fans ditched the infield altogether for grandstand seats. While all outside beverages were banned in the infield, but grandstand customers could bring in water, soda and other non-alcoholic drinks.
David Cross, 44 of Suffolk, Va., made the switch after years in the oval . He agrees that some changes had to be made, but "it's a little too much. I think it took a lot from the infield. They killed it."
Nearby, a group of 12 friends paid $100 apiece for box seats mere feet from the track. Several women wore dresses specially bought for the event, and Sara Ingram, 32, of Fells Point, decorated feathery hats for herself and her friends.
But despite the fun they seemed to be having, they wished for more of a party atmosphere. The way it used to be.
"It's pretty dead here," said Jill Goldberg, 38, who lives in Canton. "The more people, the more energy - more people rooting and screaming for their horses. The energy is just lower at this point. People like to be around energy."
Baltimore Sun reporters Tricia Bishop and Andrea K. Walker contributed to this article.
Preakness attendance
2009: 77,850
2008: 112,222
2007: 121,263
2006: 118,402
2005: 115,318
2004: 112,668
2003: 100,268
2002: 101,138
2001: 104,454
2000: 98,304
By the numbers
77,850
This year's attendance figure for the Preakness Stakes
112,222
Last year's attendance
