As it turned out, Saturday?s somber Preakness was one those in attendance won?t soon forget.
Just hours before Maryland-trained and Derby-winning colt Barbaro cast a pall over the 131st running of the Preakness by breaking down with fractures to his right hind leg, thousands of revelers had gathered to experience this equine event ? Baltimore?s Super Bowl as oneExaminer headline exclaimed.
The Preakness at Pimlico is so much more than the second jewel of the Triple Crown ? it is a multifaceted celebration.
We all know about the craziness that happens in the Pimlico infield, but for the real lowdown on Preakness fun, just ask veteran horse guy John DiNatale, who has an unofficial office at the track, complete with an office manager ? Danny, aka Lumpy, a bartender extraordinaire.
John enlightened me to the many faces of Old Hill Top, and his office proved to be one of the social hubs at the track.
There, I ran into Lynette Gambino, whose hubby, Tony Gambino, is owner and head chef at Ciao Bella Restaurant in Little Italy.
Lynette was playing host to four longtime friends, Angela Vermillion, of Ocean City, Alicia Helfrich, of York, Pa., and Louise and Denise Gutierrez, who were celebrating their 21st consecutive Preakness weekend after flying in from their hometown of Long Beach, Calif.
Also seen enjoying the pre-Preakness fun were Mike Lasky, founder of the Psychic Friends Network, Mike Palma O?Hara, president of Pucho Cigars (“the best damn cigars out there,” DiNatale said), and Rudy Trombetta, proud father of Sweetnorthernsaint?s trainer Mike Trombetta.
My travels took me to the corporate infield, where many of the area?s movers and shakers were soaking up the sun.
Dr. Gary Hamamoto and his fiancee? Annette Luskin, were there, along with Paula and Dennis Henry, the Parking Authority?s Pete Collier; Gregory Smith, who is president of the Camden Yards Sports and Entertainment Commission; Ted and Nancy Herget; Ravens guard Edwin Mulitalo; former Orioles great Cal Ripken Jr.; Aegon?s head honcho Henry Hagan, fancy-pants Robb Banks and Gov. Robert Ehrlich?s finance guru John C. Reith.
Speaking of the guv, he and lovely first lady, Kendel Ehrlich, were busy making the rounds.
The Hopkins family, which has had a long-standing presence in the Maryland horse-racing community, was out in full force with matriarch Martha at the helm.
She was escorted by her handsome sons, Frank and Mike Hopkins.
Daughter Amy Hopkins Daney told me she?s making a run for the Harford County Council, District D.
Little did any of us know that in a few short hours, this happy Hilltop would witness what it did.
The collective gasp of more than 100,000 fans is something I will never forget.
Anne Boone-Simanski is The Examiner?s society columnist. Contact her at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
