Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown — a candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary — says he attended the Preakness Day as an "official state function" rather than a campaign event. He may be duty-bound to attend Maryland’s signature horse-racing event, but that didn’t prevent Brown and his wife, Karmen, from having some fun.
And placing what he called “low-wager” bets.
Not coincidentally, all of his picks had Maryland connections. Brown went with favorite California Chrome to win the Preakness. Both the dam and one grand-dam of the horse were foaled and raised in Chestertown. Brown picked Ring Weekend — who trains at Fair Hill in Elkton — to place, and Bayern to show. Bayern will be ridden by Rosie Napravnik, who worked for the late Maryland trainer Dickie Small.
“I’ve been attending the Preakness, I think, for each of the past eight years, maybe with one or two years off for a family obligation,” Brown said. “I love coming to the Preakness. It’s a Maryland tradition. Look, It’s great for the economy.”