Derby Winner Nyquist Heads to Preakness; New Rivals Await
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Fresh off of his Kentucky Derby win, Nyquist has arrived in Baltimore. We're just shy of two weeks until the Preakness stakes at Pimlico, where Nyquist is expected to take the second jewel in the horse racing Triple Crown.
Marcus Washington has a look at the preparations and the wait for Nyquist's arrival.
Preakness is always an exciting time but it becomes even more exciting when you have a favorite like Nyquist that could win that second jewel and snag the Triple Crown.
Getting everything ready for the expected 130,000 people who will attend Preakness takes a lot of time.
It's the preparation for one of the biggest horse racing days of the year: Preakness stakes at Pimlico.
"My staff, at least the grounds crew and stuff started back in soon as the weather broke in March," said Pimlico President and General Manager Sal Sinatra.
Within the week, everything in the grand stand will be cleared out to make way for chairs. The beginning work is underway, completing every little detail on the list of getting Pimlico ready. They'll reach the finish line as more than 100,000 people fill the grounds.
"People have to realize in Baltimore, we have the Super Bowl every year. We're guaranteed, for the most part, to have the Kentucky Derby horse here. Even Kentucky can't say that until after the race is run so it's pretty cool," Sinatra said.
Fresh off a win at the Kentucky Derby, Nyqist headed to Baltimore in hopes of claiming the second jewel in the Triple Crown. His presence at the race is bringing even more excitement to an already invigorating event.
"Oh, absolutely! And he is also named from our great hockey players. That adds a little intrigue so it's cool," Sinatra said.
So as time ticks down, the work continues to see if history can be made again in Baltimore.
Events for the Preakness begin May 18 and continue until May 21, the day of the big race.