Jockey

CBS '60 Minutes' will feature a report Sunday night on Rosie Napravnik, the 25-year-old jockey who will be the only female riding in the Kentucky Derby. But there's a backstage story to the report that features another 25-year-old woman, Michelle Boniface St. John, who grew up on the Bonita farm in Darlington, who helped produce the '60 Minutes' piece. St. John, the daughter of Kevin C. and Chris Boniface, of the famous Maryland horse racing and training family, has been working at CBS News for the last four years.

Pimlico officials still are consulting with federal and local law enforcement agencies on revised security measures for the Preakness. Maryland Jockey Club President Tom Chuckas said he initiated a series of meetings with those groups April 16 , the day after two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon, killing three and injuring more than 260. He said he has two meetings scheduled for this weekend - he would not reveal the other parties -...

Pimlico Race Course Press box renamed to honor former Sun reporter Kelly Before Sunday's first race, the Pimlico Race Course press box was renamed to include Joe Kelly , who covered horse racing for nearly 70 years before his death in November at age 94. Kelly began his career at The Baltimore Sun in the 1940s, then moved in 1955 to The Washington Star, where he spent the next 26 years. After retiring, he became the publicity director for the Maryland Million and was Pimlico's historical consultant until his death.

Connor Hankin's dorm room at Virginia could be a tack room. There are collages of race horses on the walls and riding boots in the closet. On the desk sits a framed picture of Hankin and his BFF, Battle Op, an aging grey gelding on whom he nearly won the grueling Maryland Hunt Cup last year. Clearly, Hankin has a thing for racing. Most mornings, the freshman from Butler rises at 7:15, drives to a farm outside Charlottesville, saddles his ride and gallops over the grassy hills, popping some fences, for nearly an hour.

Colleges Convissar-led Terps rout George Mason in baseball Kyle Convissar (Severna Park), Anthony Papio and Charlie White each had three hits and Maryland had 17 in all in a 16-1 rout of host George Mason in baseball. The 16 runs were the most by the club since a 21-run outburst against Duke on April 14 last season. Convissar drove in four runs for the Terps (18-15) to increase his team-leading total to 32. Papio added three RBIs one day after having three against Virginia Commonwealth.

Rappers Pitbull and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will headline this year's Preakess InfieldFest May 18 at Pimlico Race Course, organizers announced Monday morning. In recent years, Pitbull has become one of Top 40's most consistent acts, both in the U.S. and Latin America. "Back in Time," his single for "Men in Black 3," has sold two million copies, and he recently performed as part of New Year's Rockin' Eve. "Pitbull is young and energetic," said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas on Monday morning outside by Pimlico Race Course's finish line.

Pimlico is home to some of the most exhilarating and important horse races in history. It annually hosts the Preakness, the second stop on the road to the Triple Crown and primary revenue-driver for its ownership group. As the Maryland Jockey Club charts its future, though, the immediate focus appears to be on its lesser-known track. In a preliminary capital improvement plan submitted to the state late last week and made public Tuesday, the Jockey Club outlined a plan to essentially rebuild Laurel Park as a mixed-use development featuring retail and a hotel surrounding the track.

The Maryland Jockey Club, which owns both Pimlico and Laurel Park, submitted its plan for capital improvements to the state Friday. The plan has not yet become public but likely will early next week when it has been reviewed by the Maryland Racing Commission and the state's Department of Budget & Management. The document was due Feb. 1 in order for the track to be eligible for slots revenue set aside for racetrack redevelopment. In recent years, some of the redevelopment money has been diverted to cover track expense.

With John R. Leopold suspended from office due to Tuesday's criminal convictions, some Anne Arundel County Republicans are jockeying to be the next county executive. "My name is going in," said John Grasso, who represents the Glen Burnie area on the County Council. He announced last year that he planned to run for the office in 2014. "I might as well get a head start. " For months - even as Leopold battled the charges - names have been floated as potential replacements. After Leopold was suspended, some County Council members said that a measure to declare his position vacant would be scheduled for introduction Wednesday and a vote Monday.

Anyone who has seen a thoroughbred in full stride has probably wondered: Where would they go if they could roam free? The answer for a 4-year-old gelding named Bullet Catcher who escaped Laurel Park Friday morning is that he followed the road ahead of him. Which saved his life. “We're not really sure why he stuck to the road so closely, or how he happened to hit all the lights and make the right turns,” said Mark Rosenthal, a former jockey and owner of the gelding. “He's a lucky horse.” After throwing jockey Jeremy Rose around 9 a.m. Friday following a workout, Bullet Catcher ran past a security outpost at the back of the track - officials didn't have time to close the gate, Rosenthal said - and veered right toward the open road.