Preakness 2024: All good after fire department called, wet track expected

BALTIMORE, Md. — Saturday’s Preakness Stakes card is still set to begin at 10:30 a.m. at a drizzly Pimlico Race Course, having not been affected by a minor incident the fire department responded to at the facility late Friday night.

A dryer in the basement of the facility where linens are washed began smoking late in the evening, following the Friday card which concluded at about 6:30 p.m. According to spokesperson David Joseph, this triggered the fire alarms, a response from the local fire department, and a building evacuation.

"The fire department came and they evacuated the building, just to be safe," Joseph said. "No injuries, no issues, the place is fine."
In the stakes barns behind the building where the Preakness runners are housed, many were unaware of the incident, and the eight remaining entrants in the race were enjoying a quiet morning as the rain fell

“Exciting day,” trainer Kenny McPeek said as he arrived shortly after 7 a.m., his popular Labrador Sonny alongside, to check on Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan. “Sonny’s ready to run.”

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McPeek also declared Mystik Dan ready to run after a restful night. The colt got a bath and then quietly walked the shedrow, unfazed by the small media gaggle that arrived. He will walk again later today.

As of about 8:30 a.m., with $1,026,831 in the win pool, MystikDan remained the 3-1 Preakness favorite in early wagering as listed by Pimlico, followed by Catching Freedom and Tuscan Gold both at 7-2, and Imagination at 9-2. Rounding out the field are Uncle Heavy at 7-1, Seize the Grey at 8-1, Just Steel at 9-1, and Mugatu at 21-1.

Pimlico had not yet posted an official condition for the main track as of 8:30 a.m., but had the turf listed as "good." The rain in the area was expected to peter out around 12 or 1 p.m., but the track will surely be wet for the Preakness. Mystik Dan won the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes on February at Oaklawn Park on a muddy track. But beyond that, McPeek, who said he slept well last night after attending the Baltimore Orioles game with the colt's connections, has maintained all week that he does not worry about things he can't control.

“Pressure is self-inflicted," McPeek said. I’m going to enjoy this. There’s nothing I can do other than getting him to the track and back, making sure he’s doing right.”

– additional reporting by Dan Illman

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