Preparations underway for possible storms at the Preakness Stakes

Organizers say they're ready for any possible storms that arrive during the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

Transcript

00:00 Saturday marks the 149th running of the Preakness Stakes.

00:04 Yeah, one thing I've learned, Bernie, actually, it is the run for the Black-Eyed Susans.

00:09 Which I did not know, by the way. I didn't know that what it was called, but you taught me that today.

00:13 I know, isn't that cool? Well, unfortunately, they are going to have to contend with a little

00:17 bit of wet weather, so we're going to be keeping a close eye on that. It's in the Baltimore area,

00:22 and joining us now from Baltimore is Tiffany Steer. Tiffany is the Vice President of Communications at

00:28 FIRST Racing. Tiffany, how are preparations going for Saturday's race? Good morning, thank you for

00:34 having me. They're going very well. Our team has been preparing for this, obviously, since the last

00:38 Preakness, so our team worked diligently from everything from the horse preparations, guest

00:44 preparations, to really prepare Pimlico Racecourse for the legendary Preakness befitting of the Middle

00:50 Jewel of the Triple Crown. And of course, listen, we have some rain in the forecast. It's going to be

00:54 a little difficult because I think there's showers and even a thunderstorm or two around. Let's talk

01:00 about how do you adapt the track for the horses and the venue for spectators. Of course, lightning

01:05 could always be dangerous. Yes, well, this is not the first time we've contended with inclement

01:11 weather at the Preakness. I'm sure if you look back in history, you will remember the very muddy

01:15 Justify Win and the pouring rain. Our team prepares diligently for all of these inclement

01:22 weather changes, different changes, different things that we may experience. So for our guest

01:27 experience, obviously, it's an outdoor event, so we do encourage our guests to come prepared.

01:31 You are not allowed to bring umbrellas, but we encourage you to bring your raincoats, your

01:38 poncho, rain boots, wear appropriate clothing for outdoors in the event of a weather emergency. Guests

01:45 can move inside to the clubhouse. Our security team and our emergency management team got locked

01:50 up and ready to go. As far as our horse, our veterinarian,

01:54 have our racing stewards and our first racing office. Are there any posts?

02:01 All right. And of course, we have learned, too, that the Kentucky Derby winner, of course,

02:10 Mystic Dan, is one of the horses that is going to be running in this race. What makes this race

02:15 unique? Well, it's the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. It's always an incredible,

02:19 this is the best race. It's the biggest party in horse racing, and we're really thrilled to

02:23 have it. And obviously, having the Kentucky Derby winner, Mystic Dan, on track provides

02:27 an added element and an added element of excitement. So we are looking forward to a

02:34 world-class day of racing on Preakness Day, as well as on Black Guide Susan Day. Well, of course,

02:39 we'll keep an eye to the sky. Make sure you have the Accuath downloaded. You can watch these

02:44 thunderstorms pop, but they will be spotty. Tiffany Steer, vice president of communications

02:49 at First Racing. Tiffany, thanks for joining us here this morning. All right. Let's take you

02:55 outside. Good to have you here. Good luck with Saturday here.