Sports

2009 Preakness To Ban Outside Beer

by Jon Azpiri | February 5, 2009 at 04:47 pm

1586 views | 2 Recommendations | 2 comments

Details were announced about the 2009 Preakness Stakes, and beer drinkers on a budget may be disappointed. Preakness officials say that spectators will no longer be allowed to bring in beverages to the public infield during the famous race at the Pimlico Race Course.

Previously, fans were allowed to bring in coolers filled with beer. Instead, the stadium will sell 16-ounce beers for $3.50.

The ban on outside beer overshadowed the other details of the Triple Crown horse race, which will take place May 16.

Rock bands ZZ Top and Buckcherry will perform at the race and a pro beach volleyball game will also take place in the infield.

According to officials, the ban on outside beers wasn't purely motivated by profit. Too much beer often led to boorish behavior and fistfights. Last year, 126 people were thrown out to the race and six were arrested.

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bryanA (not verified)

at 10:57 on February 12th, 2009

WHAT??!!!!!!????????

They’re not allowing you to bring coolers and 30 packs full of beer into the infield anymore???????? The only reason the college crowd comes to this event is because of the huge party that ensues on the infield. I have been to 3 Preaknesses on the Infield, it’s a huge s**tshow, it's outrageous. I am from Newark DE and my friends and I have made the trip for the past 3 years. Students travel far and wide to get to Pimlico to party with other college student from the East Coast. They’re not going to allow you to BYOB so they can get you to pay $5/Beer. I guarantee that this is going to be the least profitable Preakness ever for those involved, merchandise vendors, food merchants, bus/transportation companies, Preakness organizers, Pimlico Raceway, City of Baltimore, Baltimore County and obviously the State of Maryland. A lot of companies are going to be losing my business this year because I won't be organizing a bus trip and will NOT be going to Preakness. One store that will continue to get my business come this May is my local liquor store, Newark Liquors.

Signed,

Disgusted College Students up & down the East Coast

Angel Of Death (not verified)

at 14:04 on February 12th, 2009

I have been waiting several years to make my move to claim the Preakness stakes. With the steady decline of horse-racing enthusiasts in Maryland, I have been been pleasantly planning to make my move at some point in the next decade or so, but I feel I must take this opportunity to thank these 'officials' who have made this monumental decision! You have accelerated a process I had thought would take decades to occur so much so that it will now take place in 3 short months! You have my eternal gratitude!