The bas relief sculpture on the side of the Pimlico clubhouse depicting the Great Sweepstakes of 1877 between Parole, Tom Ochiltree and Ten Broeck is 30 x 10 feet and weighs four tons. (photo courtesy of Eric Kalet)
An Op/Ed by April Inloes Smith
This latest report from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racing Operating Authority (MTROA) reflects a thoughtful interest in getting this right for Maryland Racing and for historic Pimlico Race Course.
It would be much easier to just bulldoze everything and start from scratch. But this unique site is not some old shopping mall. Pimlico is the second oldest race course in the U.S. and home of a Triple Crown jewel. People do not come here just for a horse race. They come to see where numerous champions, for 153 years, have had to prove themselves. We cannot cheat the public by just putting up something, anything, that is ‘New and Improved’. I have been a Baltimore City tour guide for 25 years so, believe me when I tell you what tourists are looking for. They want authenticity and atmosphere. They want a little bit of real in a world of fake. They want a ‘There’ to be there. And despite what you hear, they love history.
I would be the first to tell you that Pimlico is in drastic need of so many changes. But some things should be preserved. # 1 is the original 1870 oval. This track was put in by real horsemen, NOT developers. No matter what your construction consultants are telling you, ‘reconfiguring’ (double speak for destroy-we all know this) the track will be a huge mistake. Even if you are planning to switch to Tapeta. An enormous amount of people wants to see where Seabiscuit beat War Admiral and Secretariat broke a Preakness record. Don’t try to fight Hollywood. You will lose.
# 2 are the barns. I can’t speak about the brick ones, but I am very familiar with the green stakes barns. One of them, preferably the one with the Derby winner’s stall, must be saved. Walking through an old racing stable is truly a step back in time. Please do not even think of just saving a single stall. That would be an insult.
#3 The irreplaceable architectural details such as The Raoul Middleman Murals in the Grandstand, the Bernard Zuckerman ‘Gold Horses’ bas relief, on the side of the Clubhouse, and the outstanding cantilevered Mid Century Modern staircase, inside the Clubhouse. Needless to say, a real racing museum, is needed to house a treasure trove Pimlico/Preakness memorabilia. This should be a requirement and already has a fund set up for it.
Populous should be advised that their usual racetrack designs will not work here. (yes, I checked their website: efficient, beauty free and boring) We need a cathedral that represents the best of American racing. Their original ‘Denver Bus Station-Kleenex Box ‘concept was not it. They would do well to look at the 1870 Clubhouse design for inspiration. A structure resembling that would quickly become THE place for events In the Baltimore area. It would also present a suitable home for the architectural details as well.
I must also say a word about the hotel/parking garage. Why is this even being considered onsite when we need more room for horses? Several huge and magnificent older homes, on Northern Pkwy, could lend themselves beautifully to becoming boutique hotels for visitors and trainers alike. A garage, with a bridge, could be constructed across Park Heights Ave. There is an amazing array of good, solid housing stock in the neighborhood waiting to be renovated for track workers. A green solution to this issue and in keeping with the character of the area. We should also plant more trees near the barns and paths.
I have been working to save Pimlico since 2006 and many have told me I was wasting my time. The formation of the MTROA has given me new hope that my vision for Old Hilltop could finally be a reality.
Click here for the MTROA Legislative Report.
Click here for the MTROA Review and Analysis of Thoroughbred Racing Operating Models
April Inloes Smith went from theater to the track about 15 years ago. Her love for horses and riding led her to adopt several Maryland OTTBs. A guide for the Sunrise Tours program at the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, April enjoys interacting with new fans and especially the kids who take the tours. She gives professional tours around historic Baltimore City of places like Poe House. A preservationist, April is constantly trying to save what she terms ‘Real Baltimore’.
Photo: April Smith with her Maryland OTTB, Bet the Cat. Photo courtesy of April Inloes Smith
