A shot of Mine That Bird exercising at the Pimlico Race Course on May 14, 2009 {thanks, AP}

The auction for the Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park will take place early in 2010, according to the Baltimore Sun. Two Maryland developers, David S. Cordish and Carl Verstandig, have stated interest in buying the tracks and the rights to the Preakness Stakes. No need to worry about the Preakness, though. It’s staying Maryland thanks to a new law that grants “the state the right to seize the event under eminent domain,” reports the Sun. The tracks’ current owners, Magna Entertainment Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March.

So what’s next? The Sun breaks it down: Anyone interested in buying the tracks can submit a proposal to Magna by Nov. 2 (a 10% deposit and evidence that the entire amount will be paid are required). One week later, Magna will present a lead bid to the court, with a list of other bidders to follow.  The auction will be held in mid-January, and the state will be allowed to match the winning bid.

Although many Maryland residents are most likely relieved the Preakness cash cow will be staying put, it’ll be interesting to see the effect of the auction. Also, how will it affect slots and other alternative gambling? It’s a topic to keep an eye on over the next few months.

For the full Sun article, click here.

This year’s Preakness was notable for its docile Infield, a triumphant filly and a smaller attendance that just made audacious fashions stand out that much more — for better or worse. Our judges took a few days to contemplate, and here’s what they said:

No. 1

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Enjoy video highlights from the 2009 Preakness and Infieldfest.

Running of the 134th Preakness Stakes {Brian Krista, b}

The 2009 Preakness Infieldfest may not have seen the excessive drinking, topless girls or mob mentality fighting like in years past, but there was still plenty to see and do. Sure the attendance was down, but those who did show up seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves and in a much safer environment. Could it have been even better? Maybe. I will say this though, it was more fun than taking a beer can to the face. Here’s more images from the 134th Preakness Stakes.

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{photo by MEEKAH HOPKINS, B}

They let me out on the track. This was Rachel Alexandra’s view coming down the home stretch.

Rachel Alexandra leads, and eventually wins, the Preakness Stakes {photo by MEEKAH HOPKINS, B}

6:23 p.m.: She did it! All cheers from the stands.

6:29 p.m.: A final note: A historic day at Pimlico for the Stakes. The new infield, and a filly won for the first time in 85 years! Oh yeah, and my friend I’d Do Me won big on Rachel. Ah, the magic of Preakness…

{photo by MEEKAH HOPKINS, B}

I’m a Preakness junkie. Or actually, a reformed one. I started going 10 years ago, in 1999 when I was a high school senior. For a 17-year-old kid it was pure, delicious hedonism. And I returned each year that followed, hungry for more: I grew older but the experience didn’t.

I think you’ve all heard enough “Phreakness” stories in the past days, so I’ll spare you eight years worth of infield debauchery, save one that happened to me during Preakness 2007, the last time I attended the Stakes at Pimlico:

I was enjoying a beautiful day of people watching in the sun when the thinkable happened: I was hit in the nose with a long-distance beer can missile. The beer can melees of previous years finally caught me, square in the face. Nope, my nose didn’t break open; I broke open the beer can instead. Not as cool as it sounds, though: I fell backwards and cut open my shoulder on the chain-link fence. I still have the scar to prove it.

After that? Time to grow up, Meekah. I vowed never to return to the infield.  But, I’m a Baltimore girl, through and through: the siren song of Preakness got the best of me this year. So I’ve returned, this time to the Top of the Stretch, where I can dress up and sip Black-Eyed Susans safely. I’m a little older, a little wiser … but then so seems Preakness. I don’t think anyone knows what to expect from tomorrow’s “safe” infield party, but I’ll be there to tell you.

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{photo by MEEKAH HOPKINS, B}

5:08 p.m.: They just rolled out the Preakness gate. T-minus one hour!

5:35 p.m.: Well, Bmore Bob definitely lost. C’mon, Luv Gov!

5:41 p.m.: b’s Brian Krista just got called “the pedographer” by barely coherent Marg man Jamie. Apparently the pitcher did the job.

Keep checking out bthesite.com for updates live from the Preakness Stakes.

A different type of infield this year {photo by MEEKAH HOPKINS, B}

4:42 p.m.: This is the east infield, a virtual drunken war zone in previous years, and the site of my beer-can collision from ‘07. Now it’s a big bizzaro picnic. Weird.

4:50 p.m.: Insider drink-tip from New Yorker turned Towsonite Jamie Feleggio, 31: A plastic pitcher of Margs for $20. And he “ain’t sharing.”

Keep checking out bthesite.com for updates live from the Preakness Stakes.