Preakness by the numbers - or maybe not

Scattered reflections following this year's 128th running of the Preakness:

Facts and figures on the current economic impact of the Preakness are sparse to nonexistent. Seems like a study is way overdue. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development places the economic impact of the Preakness - Maryland's largest single-day sporting event - at an estimated $29.5 million (in 2002 dollars). An article in the Baltimore Sun (May 14, 2003) stated that the race and events surrounding it are a ''safe bet to pump $60 million into Baltimore's economy.''

The actual figures might be even higher, and almost certainly would be useful for the governor, the state legislature and the Maryland Racing Commission to have on hand in any future discussions about the possibility of the Preakness moving out of state.

This is Pimlico's first year of operation with Frank Stronach's Magna Entertainment Corp. as majority owner, but the management team headed by Joe and Karin De Francis remained in charge. What changes will occur in the future, and their possible impact on the Preakness, are the subject of many rumors. No official announcements, but many rumors.

Native Dancer's name is familiar to many people‹even non-racing fans. But how many in the Preakness day crowd took note of the 50th anniversary of Native Dancer's Preakness?
Pimlico had new ownership then, too, Ben and Herman Cohen having purchased the track in 1952. The Preakness soared in popularity during the time that Pimlico was owned by the Cohens and managed by Chick Lang (until 1986).

It's only a matter of time before a woman trainer wins the Preakness. Nancy Alberts came closer than any other woman has, when Magic Weisner finished second in 2002. This year two woman trainers, Lisa Lewis (Kissin Saint) and Jennifer Leigh-Pedersen (New York Hero) were in contention. When Alibi Breakfast emcee Chris Lincoln noted that it must be a pretty big deal for a ''lady trainer'' to have a horse in the Preakness, Lewis responded in the most dignified way possible, pointing out that it would be a major accomplishment for any trainer.

Many of Maryland's top producing broodmares have behind them hard-trying race careers. And the dams of this year's Maryland-bred Preakness starters New York Hero, Foufa's Warrior and Cherokee's Boy are right in line with that pattern.

Collectively, the trio of Nin Two (dam of New York Hero), Cherokee Wonder (Cherokee's Boy) and Foufa (Foufa's Warrior) made 148 starts. Nin Two gets the prize for durability. A 1987 daughter of longtime Maryland stallion John Alden (who earned fame as the sire of blue collar millionaire Little Bold John), Nin Two made 85 starts, with 42 wins or placings, over six seasons yet earned a paltry $80,639 before producing Grade 2 winner New York Hero as her fourth foal.

Cherokee Wonder possessed both class and sticktoitiveness, with 13 stakes wins or placings among her 51 career starts. The daughter of Cherokee Colony won two stakes and twice placed in graded company, earning $284,005. Foufa, by major sire Storm Bird, started 12 times and won once, for earnings of $11,550, but has given her all in the breeding shed, producing Foufa's Warrior as her fifth stakes winner.

Four of the 10 starters passed through the auction ring on their way to the Triple Crown trail. Funny Cide, sold as a yearling at Saratoga for $22,000, was among the least expensive, but New York Hero, whose earnings stood at $417,300 when he broke from the gate in the Preakness, attracted no bids higher than $6,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling sale. He later sold as a 2-year-old for $135,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale. Third-place finisher Scrimshaw was the most expensive of the lot, costing his owners Robert and Beverly Lewis $550,000 at the Keeneland April 2-year-olds in training sale.