The Alibi Breakfast is a Pimlico tradition that dates back to the 1930's. On the porch of the historic Clubhouse, owners, trainers, and press would discuss the horses over coffee each morning during training hours. Some of the greatest tales of racing ever to reach print were told those mornings. The tradition of the Preakness Alibi Breakfast started in the 1940's, a chance for the connections of Preakness entrants to solicit interesting and often colorful race predictions. Hosted by Baltimore radio personalities Pete Gilbert and Scott Wykoff, the event not only allows each trainer to be interviewed in a relaxed atmosphere, but also for the Maryland Jockey Club to present awards to members of the media and others who have made significant contributions to the local racing industry.
One tradition is a blessing given by a local Roman Catholic Church leader. This year Bishop Bruce Lewandowski for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, asked for good weather and safe racing.
The crowd was a bit smaller than in the past after the 2 year hiatus. The $80 ticket price might have had something to do with that too.
Mike MacAdam received the David F. Woods Award for excellence in journalism for his article "Preakness Winner Rombauer Runs Out of the Baffert Shadow" in the Daily Gazette of Schenectady, NY. "It is a gross understatement to say what an honor it is to be recognized by the Maryland Jockey Club with the David F. Woods Award," MacAdam said. "Writing stories about horse racing is never anything less than a fascinating and rewarding challenge."
Joe Clancy, editor of Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred, was the Old Hilltop Award winner. He is also the co-owner with his brother Sean of ST Publishing Inc., parent company of The Saratoga Special newspaper. "Thank you to the Maryland Jockey club for recognizing the work of the media, to everyone at Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred magazine, to my brother Sean and coworker Tom Law for the inspiration (and the editing) and to the horses and horse people who let me tell their stories."
Patrick Smith received the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award for the best Preakness picture of 2021. Smith is a staff photographer based in Baltimore for Getty Images. This is his second consecutive win and third overall in the Frutkoff. Smith said, "During the 2021 Preakness, I was camped in the head-on position. As I watched Flavien Prat guide Rombauer through the field and gain momentum, I knew he'd rejoice with an iconic moment if he cross the finish first - and he did."
Knicks Go, 2021 Horse of the Year and champion older horse, who has been named the Honorary Postmaster for Preakness 147. This is the first time a Thoroughbred horse has been named the postmaster.
There were connections for only five of the nine Preakness entries present at the breakfast.
Simplification's connections were the first interviewed. Alex Sano, assistant to his father Antonio said, "Before I went to veterinary school, I used to see a horse and say, 'It looks pretty,' Now, I see a horse inside and out. I see the ligaments, the tendons, the bones, the muscles – the anatomy and how everything works. That for me is priceless. Knowing the mechanics of how a horse functions is awesome. It's like watching a movie that never ends. I'm so proud of my father and his success"
Creative Minister was represented by trainer Ken McPeek. They had to pay $150,000 to supplement Creative Minister to the Preakness which McPeek had to contribute towards. "My wife (Sherri) and I own 10 percent. I had to put up our share, too. It makes it easier for them to do it if I'm going to do it."
Secret Oath was represented by trainer D. Wayne Lukas who was cracking jokes as usual. The 86 year old Hall of Fame trainer is going for his seventh Preakness victory with the filly. "Coming back here ages me a little bit," he said. "There's three signs of old age: The first one is loss of memory. I can't remember the other ones." Later he said, "I asked my wife if in her wildest dreams she ever thought she would be married to a 6 time Preakness winning trainer. She said I wasn't in her wildest dreams."
Armagnac was represented by trainer Tim Yakteen who took over for suspended trainer Bob Baffert before the Kentucky Derby. "Completely different environment, different climate," he said. "I'm excited to be here."
Skippylongstocking was represented by trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. who didn't even know the tradition existed since his first Preakness was in 2020 when it was run in October without fans. "Last time it had none of this," Joseph said. "It was the best. (Lukas) had all those jokes. It was better than going to a comedy show. He cracks everyone up, and it's great to listen to all these stories."
2022 Triple Crown quick links:
Mo Donegal romps in the 2022 Belmont Stakes - Saturday at Belmont, Mo Donegal drew away in the stretch to win the Belmont Stakes by 3 lengths over filly Nest and Skippylongstocking while Derby hero Rich Strike finished 6th. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Belmont Entries - With no Triple Crown on the line a small field of only 8 horses was entered this year with Peter Pan winner We the People the favorite at 2-1. Check out all the entries with full profiles and photos.
Analyzing the Belmont Stakes Contenders - Our annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Belmont winner. This year the top horse isn't one of the colts but the lone filly!
2022 Belmont Festival Friday Stakes Results - Friday at Belmont Park had 5 stakes races: the New York Stakes (G1) won by Bleecker Street, the True North (G2) won by Jackie's Warrior, the Belmont Gold Cup Invitational (G2) won by Loft, the Bed o'Roses Invitational (G2) won by Bella Sofia, and the Intercontinental Stakes (G3) won by Caravel. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
2022 Belmont Friday Workouts - Friday morning at Belmont Park, three of the Belmont Stakes horses were out on the main track. Check out photos and comments for We the People, Rich Strike, and Creative Minister.
Wonder Again (G2), Astoria, and Tremont Stakes - The Belmont Stakes Festival kicked off on Thursday with three stakes races, the Wonder Again Stakes (G2) won by Consumer Spending, the Astoria Stakes won by Devious Dame, and the Tremont Stakes won by Two of a Kind. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Fillies in the Belmont - This year there will be a filly in the race, the 24th to try her luck against the boys and trained by Todd Pletcher who trained the last filly to win the Belmont Stakes. Check out the other 23 who tried and the 3 who won.
Early Voting burns up the Preakness (G1) - On an oppressively hot Saturday at Pimlico, Early Voting pressed the pace to win the 2022 Preakness Stakes (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths over favorite Epicenter and Creative Minister. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Black-Eyed Susan Day Results - Interstatedaydream pressed the pace and took the lead in the stretch to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) by 1 1/4 lengths at Pimlico on Friday while favorite Adare Manor finished 2nd. There were 5 other stakes on the card including the Pimlico Special (G3) won by First Captain, the Allaire Dupont Distaff (G3) won by Super Quick, and the Hilltop Stakes won by Pizza Bianca. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 6 races here.
Rich Strike shocks in the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1) - Saturday at Churchill Downs, long shot Rich Strike who drew in from the also-eligibles rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 3/4 length over favorite Epicenter with Zandon third. He is the second highest paying Derby winner ever. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Secret Oath wins the 2022 Kentucky Oaks (G1) - Secret Oath drew away in the muddy stretch to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) by 2 lengths at Churchill Downs on Friday, giving trainer D. Wayne Lukas his 5th Oaks victory. Favorite Nest was second and long shot Desert Dawn was third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Belmont Stakes History - for 2022 from NYRA split into sections. Includes all kinds of interesting stats plus charts for all the previous runnings included in the list of winners.
New York Post Sports Section - should have some articles, scroll way down to find them in the "Sports Stories" section.
2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby - All the point earning races on the Triple Crown Trail leading up to the Kentucky Derby with results and winners updated as they are run.
2022 Triple Crown Late Nominations - UAE Derby runner-up Summer is Now headlines the list of seven late Triple Crown nominations made eligible by a $6000 fee by the March 28 deadline.
Early Triple Crown Nominations - 312 horses where nominated by the early deadline of January 29 for the 2022 Triple Crown. Trainer Todd Pletcher nominated the most with 42 followed by Brad Cox with 26. Check out all the horses and free past performances from Equibase.
Triple Crown Trivia Quiz - test your knowledge of the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont and compete with others.
Send this page to a friend - know someone who would like to see this page? Click here to send them the link.
Simplification's connections were the first interviewed. Alex Sano, assistant to his father Antonio said, "Before I went to veterinary school, I used to see a horse and say, 'It looks pretty,' Now, I see a horse inside and out. I see the ligaments, the tendons, the bones, the muscles – the anatomy and how everything works. That for me is priceless. Knowing the mechanics of how a horse functions is awesome. It's like watching a movie that never ends. I'm so proud of my father and his success"
Creative Minister was represented by trainer Ken McPeek. They had to pay $150,000 to supplement Creative Minister to the Preakness which McPeek had to contribute towards. "My wife (Sherri) and I own 10 percent. I had to put up our share, too. It makes it easier for them to do it if I'm going to do it."
Secret Oath was represented by trainer D. Wayne Lukas who was cracking jokes as usual. The 86 year old Hall of Fame trainer is going for his seventh Preakness victory with the filly. "Coming back here ages me a little bit," he said. "There's three signs of old age: The first one is loss of memory. I can't remember the other ones." Later he said, "I asked my wife if in her wildest dreams she ever thought she would be married to a 6 time Preakness winning trainer. She said I wasn't in her wildest dreams."
Armagnac was represented by trainer Tim Yakteen who took over for suspended trainer Bob Baffert before the Kentucky Derby. "Completely different environment, different climate," he said. "I'm excited to be here."
