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I am not a high stakes gambler, horse racing expert or fine living aficionado. However, I've been to my share of horse races, including all three Triple Crown events. The Preakness Stakes is without a doubt the biggest s*** show I've seen in horse racing. In fact, of all the sporting events that I ever been to, it may be the biggest s*** show I've seen--not counting a midget wrestling event in Phoenix circa 2000.
I do not mean to disparage the actual horse race, which is as high caliber as any major event. What I'm referring to is everything else surrounding the race. It resembles something in between Woodstock '99 and "The Wire" with horses. While the last leg of the Triple Crown, The Belmont Stakes, isn't nearly as classy as The Kentucky Derby, the promoters and fans still keep up appearances. They attempt to pay tribute to the days when Thoroughbred racing was the preferred sport of royalty and celebrities. The Preakness Stakes has abandoned any history and now only targets drunks and degenerate gamblers. Neither of which I'm above (my girlfriend says I'm both), but if I wanted to hang with drunks and degenerate gamblers I'd go to Mardis Gras or Atlantic City, not a Triple Crown horse race.
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