Pimlico

The sun was shining Saturday at Pimlico Race Course, and somewhere, Chick Lang was smiling. At least, that's the way his family felt. On the first day of the spring racing schedule at Pimlico, the Maryland horse racing community held a small ceremony to say goodbye to Charles "Chick" Lang, a legendary figure in the racing industry and longtime Pimlico general manager. Lang, known as Mr. Preakness, died March 18 of natural causes at age 83, and per his wishes, there was no funeral.

Triple Crown nominee Marciano headlines a field of eight for the $75,000 Private Terms Stakes at Pimlico Race Course today. The $60,000 Gala Lil Stakes tomorrow features Irving's Baby, winner of three stakes during the recently completed Laurel Park winter meeting. Both races are at 1 1/8 miles at Old Hilltop. Today, the first 4,000 full paid admissions will receive a Pimlico T-shirt. Post time both days is 1:05 p.m. The Pimlico Pick 4 continues this weekend with a guaranteed net pool of $25,000.

Our row house on Narcissus Avenue in Northwest Baltimore was a mere four city blocks from Pimlico Race Course, and if the wind was blowing in the right direction, the familiar call of the race could be heard faintly in the distance: "They're off! … for the lead …" It was with those words that my fascination with horse racing commenced. The first time I actually witnessed what the distant voice was describing came as a 5-year-old, when my dad, just home from a long, hard day's work at his packaged goods store on Pennsylvania Avenue, took me with him to Pimlico, where admission was free for the last two races, and a free program and racing form were available for the asking from those exiting the track.

1743: Maryland Jockey Club founded in Annapolis. 1775-1782: Races suspended because of Revolutionary War. 1783: Maryland Jockey Club resumed, with Gov. William Paca and Charles Carroll, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, as members. 1830: MJC moved from Annapolis to Baltimore. 1870: Pimlico opened. The first stakes winner, Preakness, won the Dinner Party Stakes on Oct. 27. 1873: First running of the Preakness, won by Survivor. 1894: Fire destroyed Pimlico grandstand.

Bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp. has for the third time delayed the sale of Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course and the Preakness. The auction is now scheduled for Feb. 23, according to court records. A hearing to approve the plan has been rescheduled for March 3. The company did not give a reason for the delay in court records, but many close to the proceedings have said Magna is waiting to see if opponents of slots at Arundel Mills are able to get enough signatures on a petition to put the issue on the ballot in November.

With little fanfare, Pimlico Race Course began its 125th year of thoroughbred racing last week, an event that was inadequately appreciated by city officials but would be sorely missed if the track ceased operations. For once, Pimlico's spring opening is a time of optimism. The DeFrancis family has embarked on a five-year plan to upgrade the facility. Efforts are under way to make patrons feel more at home. The threat of lethal competition from casino gambling has receded temporarily. And business is on a sharp upswing.

A turf race for Maryland-breds and a sprint for fillies and mares highlight the weekend at Pimlico Race Course. First-race post time both days is 1:35 p.m. Today's feature is the $60,000 Humphrey Finney Stakes, featuring nine Maryland-bred 3-year olds who are expected to run 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Pimlico oddsmaker Clem Florio has tabbed the Saratoga Games/Valid Ticket entry as the 2-1 favorite. Sondra Bender owns both horses. Saratoga Games, trained by Tony Dutrow, has won his past two starts at Pimlico.