20060523 KDDC Proud Preakness needs overhaul

Proud Preakness needs overhaul (Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA)

An interesting commentary on Barbaro’s injury at the Preakness in Baltimore at the second leg of Triple Crown on Saturday, May 20^th, 2006 and on race day, the track facilities and Pimlico; by someone who seems to know a little about horses and horseracing.

Hat Tip: Maryland Department of Agriculture News Clippings

Proud Preakness needs overhaul (Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA)

By Jackie Burke - an author based near Orlean.

05/23/2006

Proud Preakness needs overhaul

Staff

Mede Cahaba Stable owner Mignon Smith was so inspired by Barbaro’s Kentucky Derby win that she ordered tickets and a bus so that 44 friends could attend the Preakness Stakes with her this past Saturday.

For a number of years I was employed by the Washington, D.C.-based Mede Cahaba, a large multi-state racing and breeding business, and before that I learned to post as one of Smith’s riding students at the original Mede Cahaba stable in my native Birmingham, Ala.

So I was offered two tickets to the big event and in turn I invited friend and new neighbor Julia Thieriot. As we boarded the bus Saturday, a perfect spring morning, I promised Julia a memorable time.

The bus rumbled north, carrying a congenial group with a general air of electric anticipation that only an event such as the Preakness Stakes can generate. Had I realized what a memorable and horrific day lay before us, I would have stayed in bed.

Read the rest of the story here: Proud Preakness needs overhaul (Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA)