I Am Woman, Hear Me Nayyyyyyyyyy

Rachel Alexandra let the boys know she is for real by winning the 134th running of The Preakness today in Baltimore. She led the entire way and held off Derby winner Mine That Bird by a length at the wire, becoming the first filly in 85 years to win the second leg of the Triple Crown. The way this race played out ultimately could set up a monster showdown at The Belmont in three weeks between the two. And while Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra don't have shots at the Triple, Calvin Borel does. And for a sport that seems to be on life support, marketing the sport around the humble, fast-talkin' cajun may not be a bad idea.

All of this leads me to one question: Was there anyone even there to witness it? The attendance in the infield today was brutal. To have that bad a showing in the second oldest horse race in the land was pathetic. The was a decent turnout in the stands, but that doesn't carry the weight of an overhead blimp shot of an infield during a Triple Crown race. The decision by the powers that be to not allow beer to be brought into the infield was simply a bad move in what is supposed to be a showcase weekend for your city. Keeneland drew better crowds in each of its three weekends. If this is what Baltimore brings to the table to help promote horse racing, bring the race to Lexington.