Preakness Stakes

On the third Saturday in May, generations of Baltimoreans marched onto the infield at Pimlico Race Course with their coolers in tow, an image that helped define the Preakness Stakes. No longer. The Maryland Jockey Club has unveiled enhanced security plans for the 138th Preakness Stakes in the wake of recent deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon. And coolers are among the casualties. Fans will be subject to electronic wand searches at all gates for the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes on May 17 and the Preakness on May 18. They will not be allowed to carry backpacks or duffel bags into the races and only smaller, see-through-plastic containers will be permitted.

We've shown you our Preakness-inspired fashion ideas . Now, we want to see what you've got in your wardrobe - and we're putting tickets to see Kenny Chesney at stake. Put together your best Preakness look, and share it with us on Pinterest before noon on Sunday, May 19. Our Baltimore Sun judges will choose the look they like best, and the winner will get a pair of tickets (and a parking pass) to see Kenny Chesney at FedEx Field on Saturday, May 25. Looks can be anything from one item (a fancy hat)

If you won't be in the Grandstand at Pimlico, you can still celebrate the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes in style with a black-and-gold party. Black and gold — the colors of the Calvert family — pop up everywhere at the Preakness, from the state flag to the winner's wreath of black-eyed Susans. Recreate that feeling at home with black and gold stacks of polenta, goat cheese and olives, deep brown chocolate bread pudding with a gold topping, and Black & Tans, a fruity cocktail with turn-of-the-century Maryland roots.

Animal, plan it Neil Milbert Chicago Tribune Granted, Animal Kingdom outran a relatively weak field when he made his dirt racing debut and won the Kentucky Derby as a 20-1 long shot. Going into the Derby with six weeks of rest, he proved to be the best and raced the final quarter in a razor-sharp 24.55 seconds. All of that suggests the well-bred colt is capable of a comparable performance at Pimlico — where he will be facing an even weaker field than the one he dominated at Churchill Downs.

The 126th running of the Preakness Stakes takes place Saturday, May 19. Several events are planned in the days leading up to the race. Here are today's: BB&T Hot Air Balloon Festival, 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., Oregon Ridge Park. (Exit 20-B off I-83) All Preakness Week events are free, except the 5-K Digital Harbor Dash. For more information, call 410-837-3030 or visit the Web site www.preakness celebration.org.