: News
By Meymo Lyons
The Preakness Stakes has been a Maryland tradition for 136 years, but something was missing in 2009--tens of thousands of spectators, who stayed home after their beer coolers were banned.
Organizers of the Preakness Stakes are trying to bring the party back to the infield. Infield ticket sales for the second leg of the Triple Crown dipped 31 percent last year after organizers banned spectators from bringing their own beer.
This year, infield admission has dropped by $10, to $40. And revelers can drink unlimited beer if they buy a 16-ounce mug for $20.
Organizers have also booked younger-skewing musical acts O.A.R. and the Zac Brown Band.
The Maryland Jockey Club has launched a racy marketing campaign, to mixed reviews, with the slogan - "Get Your Preak On" - a take off on a suggestive hip hop song by Missy Elliot.
The Jockey Club says so far ticket sales are just shy of 2008's numbers.
The Preakness is the largest single-day sporting event in Maryland, exceeding 100,000 people in the last eight out of ten years.
James Gandolfini Dies; 'Sopranos' Actor Was 51
Actor James Gandolfini, 51, has reportedly died. Variety magazine reports that he suffered a "sudden stroke." The cause of death is not yet known with certainty, but HBO says the actor may have suffered a heart attack.And The Winner Of The World Food Prize Is ... The Man From Monsanto
The prize is sometimes called the "Nobel Prize for food and agriculture." And this year's winners include Monsanto executive Robert Fraley, a pioneer in genetically engineered crops. If there's a single person who personifies the company's controversial role in American agriculture, it's probably Fraley.Meet The New Governor: Sharply Partisan And Upwardly Mobile
For years, governors were considered the most pragmatic figures in politics. Now, they're using their states to run ideological experiments.Microsoft Responds To Fan Outcry, Changes Xbox One Policies
Microsoft has changed policies regarding Internet connection and used game capabilities for its upcoming Xbox One gaming console. The company says it is responding to feedback from consumers.Leave a Comment
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