Early reflections on the Preakness scene

A common description of horses working out is to denote whether they worked "alone" or "in company."

Two likely Preakness Stakes starters—Friesan Fire and Papa Clem—worked Tuesday morning, and to say either of them worked "alone" would be the understatement of the epoch (centuries are so 2001).

Just two other horses recorded published workouts on Tuesday at Pimlico, and only a handful of others even trained at Old Hilltop.

On one hand, that's kind of a good thing because it made it much easier to follow the Preakness horses. They were easy to spot at every point on the racetrack, and it was kind of cool to see them round the bend and charge down the straight without anything obstructing the view.

On the other hand, it was kind or eerie and sad. Sure, things will pick up as the week progresses, but I remember the halcyon days of 2005 (my first Preakness) when the barns were full, and the horsemen were friendly to out-of-town types.

The Pimlico spring meet is shorter now. A fellow reporter said, "They're trying to make it more like Saratoga;" trainer Gary Stute replied, "They're just trying to make it."

Indeed, the bankruptcy of Pimlico owner Magna Entertainment Corp. is the elephant in the stakes barn with a lot of talk about how grand the tradition of the Preakness is (and it is) but not a lot of talk of its future.

"I'd hate to see a Pimlico at Arlington meet or even just the Preakness at Arlington," said trainer Larry Jones.

So would I, Larry. Part of the fun of the Preakness is coming to Baltimore, eating crab cakes, and drinking Yuengling. I like that Pimlico reminds me more of Thistledown than it does of Churchill Downs. The Derby is the pageantry of the Triple Crown, and the Preakness is the party.

The horses were alone today. I hope I'm not alone in covering them in a few years.