Preakness Stakes

I was in the infield and had a great time - it was like a big party! However, watching the actual horse racing was almost impossible. There was also no area to view the horses before they went to the starting gate. The entire finish line area was taken up by the VIP tent so no way to view that from the infield. From a party/drinking/music perspective, the infield was great. But if you really want to watch the horses and the racing, I would not recommend the infield. I wish I'd known this ahead of time!

Couldn't have picked a better event to attend for a weekend. There's tons to do on the infield, and all you can drink at the mug club. Can't wait to go next year and bring more people!

I went to Preakness last year and the experience was very different this year. The event was SOO organized. Hats off to the brain behind the organization this year. Stream line for beer and organized lines made the event run so smooth.

The event over all was fun. Though the Preakness officials are missing out on something that is important for a horse race. That is building excitement. If participants of the event can watch the entire race, not just when the horses pass the part of the track that they are located then they will enjoy the event a lot more. Put some damn tvs up on the backside of the third turn. That way all the people in the infield can see the finish of the race as well as the start. They would be able to see the other races as well.

It was a warm and sunny day at the Preakness. Excitement in the air and to top it all off, the smooth, funky, blues, and caribbean vibe of Bruno Mars. Him and his band were unique and oh so fine! Will certainly be waiting to see him again in Maryland.

Train and Bruno Mars, while big name bands, were not very good performers. I found I lost interest in their performances quickly. More things to do around would have been great. we got there early and played cornhole and everything, but the excitement wore off after a while.

Concerts were fun, everyone was just there to have a good time. The beer lines were very short and there were so many fun things to do throughout the day.

No one could find our seats we were sent over the whole track twice had to end up sitting inside and watch the races on tv. No one knew where anything was. I understand everyone was a volunteer but I would have thought that at the type of important race the people would have had some training. The horses were beautiful and when i could go outside and watch a race standing up, it was breathtaking

There is nothing like attending the Preakness infield party! party!

Lot of fun. Meet a lot of great people. Only got to see Train. Had to leave and go to O's game at 2pm.

I have to admit I was somewhat hesitant to attend - after all I know nothing about horse racing other than watching the big 3 on TV every year. We got tickets to the top of the stretch, which gave us seats in a fenced off area of the infield. We could go see the events on the infield and then retreat to the relative sanity of the bleachers. Our pass gave us free beer (unfortunately only bud light), but it was okay to beer slum for a day. There was a lot to do on the infield, the bands were good (Except Bruno Mars who is a 1 hit wonder), the food was varied (the pit BBQ the best), and watching the horses definitely more fun up close than on TV. If you like to people watch, and really who doesn't - there was something for everyone.

Really enjoyed the race!!! Just wished that I knew "General Admission" had no actual seating or area to stand and see the race - it meant that we were inside watching it on the screens only. So that would be something I'd make sure potential ticket purchasers knew before choosing those tickets!

Great improvements from last year. Rarely did I have to stand in line for entrance, food, or drinks!

Preakness was amazing and Train and Bruno Mars performing was the icing on the cake! it was the best day of me and my cousin's life!

I was very impressed with Preakness this year. I haven't been in 3 or 4 years because it used to be pretty disgusting, and when my friends suggested it this year I was definitely hesitant, but I must say I was happily surprised. The day was full of fun events and the crowd stayed under control while enjoying themselves. I wasn't pegged in the head with a beer can or knocked to the ground by a belligerent stranger. The performers were great and seemed to be the kind of music that appeals to many types of people. The system for the Mug Club beers was down pat, I didn't wait longer than 5 minutes for a beer. The volley ball and cornhole tourneys were definitely a nice touch. All in all, thoroughly impressed with the improvements and organization of the day. Thanks!

After a problem with my tickets getting mailed, I was satisfactorily reassured everything would be at Will Call. It took the will call folks some time to find them, but the tickets were there.

The concert was good but the people where getting out hand with all the booze being served.

Excellent event. Entertainment, refreshments, transportation, all worked smoothly.

Awesome event, thousands of party people, great acts...oh and a horse race ;-)

It was an exciting event and for the first time I enjoyed a rather rare by exciting moment..it so hilarious thinking of fast those animals run, including the opportunity to bet on them..was fun

getting beer and bathrooms were extremely convenient, the feel was great, everyone was really friendly. great day all in all. do this the same exact way next year and i think attendance will be up.

Everything was perfect. the weather, the cold beer, the music, food, racing, along with all the other events and things to do.

Mug club was so much more organized & faster than last year! Will def purchase for next year! Excellent food options too. Thanks for the great security & organization of entire event!

I have to say that given the sheer size of the event (and the amount of alcohol being consumed) I expected the worst. That said, everything was very smooth - from getting to the event via cab from the train to getting onto the infield to having enough to do between races. The music lineup was great, the event staff helpful and the beer cold! That said a couple of tweaks for next year: - Bigger/Better Jumbotrons (and more of them) - PA system to hear the call for the races - Even if only in a couple places, grandstands on the infield to be able to see more than a small section of the track (and sit down)

What a great time! we did the infield tickets and almost didn't. It was great. So much to do, everyone was so friendly and no one got out of hand. Will do it year after year.

if you want to go to a very fun event that is different from your usual activities, the preakness is for you. it has many different components that when added together, make this a unique and special experience that will guarantee you an amazing time.

had a great time. weather was wonderful. Shuttles didnt take too long to get us back and forth

They did an excellent job getting a variety of bands to please everyone! The mug club was totally worth it and if you got there early there were no lines. Overall it was a great event, really well planned!

Fun day, nice weather! Bands were great all day long! :)

This was a lot of fun at a great price - $40 infield admission to see 3 bands that I love - Phil Vassar, Train, and Bruno Mars - and some others I didn't know as well. Loved seeing the Preakness too. Great day at a great price

I had a great time at Preakness this year. I was very skeptical about returing back to Preakness after not going last year (2010) first in in 4 Year. IT lived up to all the hype. Pretty women, fancy clothes, nice Baltimore crowd with short beer lines and great bathroom access. I cannot wait for this to come around again next year. Stay Classy, Preaknasty!

Had a wonderful time at Pimlico. Planning Derby next year.

Very good race and set up very well. Great seats The parking was set up so well when you leave.

Good seats and convenient to the betting windows and refreshments.

Like buying tickets to a crazy house or jail. I could go on and on. Poor planning, no mutel machines only a long hot line to bet, seats not as advertised. Infield event was terrible, despite having tickets to reserved grandstand and infield we were told to go around, etc. no parking for miles. Will never go back, city of Baltimore PD did a terrible job trying to direct traffic.

i PAID 0VER $ 500 for tickets. i could not sit in the seats because it was miserably hot. A/C did not work. We had to go outside and stand the entire day. It was the worst sports facility let alone horsetrack I have ever been to, I i

Great seats, great time, and pretty good food options. We had a great time.

the bands sucked, but the mug club and the beach volleyball chicks were awesome.

The event was enjoyable. I bet on the winning horse, so I really can't complain. But we decided next time we'll buy the cheap, open air seats. We paid a premium to be in the air-conditioned Grand Stand, and it was almost as hot (and more stuffy) than outside. We felt like we were in a train station, it was so packed. If you still choose the Grand stand upper reserve, aim for sections 3-5 (close to the finish line)

Absolutely had a great time in the sunshine, the bands were fantastic!!!

They need atleast 4 more jumbo screens allowing the infield to see the races. There is not enough tvs or big screens in the infield for anyone to enjoy the racing.

WOW!!! This event was AMAZING! What an adrenaline rush. My wife is hooked on horse racing as a result of her first Preakness outing. We had an amazing time. One complaint: Those who purchased Mug Club tickets could not get beer after the 12th race. A lot of people were still there for the 13th race, but the Mug Club stands shut down-not good. Nevertheless, Preakness 2011 was a homerun for all in attendance. The atmosphere was high energy and everyone was having a wonderful time. My wife and I will definitely be there next year.

the folks in kentucky could take a lesson from maryland. the food was better, the lines shorter and at some points non-existent. You could even actually even see the race from the infield. and the entertainment was awesome. i have been alot of places and done alot of things and this will definitely be one of my best memories. this will be an annual event from now on!!!

Unbelievably good time! The event was extremely well managed, with great staff and excellent facilities. Mug Club is definitely the way to go - this was the first horse race I've been to and now I want to do it all over again!

I tip my hat to the planners of the 136 running of the Preakness. Almost 100% of the time when walking away from an event like this, you are disappointed by some aspect - but these guys have found the Holy Grail. The MUG Club. For $70/mug you are entitled to all the beer you can drink for 12 or so hours. The lines to get a beer were minimal and the lines to get rid of the beer (rest rooms) were even shorter. Well done!

The seats, amenities, and parking were excellent. There was, however, no sound system at that end of the track- feels a little isolated.

This was the best outdoor event I have ever attended. Train had great stage presence and was very involved with the audience. Bruno Mars was amazing, very engaging, and definitely has the "it" factor. I had a great time and the staff at the race track were so polite. I will definitely be attending again next year!

Horrible! We were told that it would be ok for children to attend. We had heard some "drunk stories" and were concerned. But the Preakness officials assured us that things were better and that families would be attending. I was speechless. They were drunks/partying/cussing everywhere. There were no families and we heard "bad parents, how dare you bring kids to the infield" several times. I was embarrassed. There should be a rule "no kids under 18". It was obvious that the people in the infield were not there to see the race. There was no good view, you could not hear the announcer and where we were, there were no jumbo screens. It was awful, I want my money back. I feel that we were completey misinformed.

Best way to describe infieldfest is that it was "Controlled Chaos". Rarely waited in line for anything, Bottomless Mug in the Mug Club was a great thing, a single beer was $7, buy spending the extra money and getting the Mug club you saved Money. The bands and entertainment were great, Train engaged the audience nonstop and Bruno Mars never stopped playing for the entire hour. Never made it to the other end of the infield to see puddle of mudd. If you want to go to Preakness to see horse racing, do not buy a ticket to the infield I think I only saw 1 horse all day. Will definitely go back but getting grandstand or top of the stretch tickets next time since you can still go to the concerts and have better seating for the races.

Performances were great, plenty of food, activities, and bathrooms. Absolutely loved watching the inaugural tournament of the National Volleyball League (NVL) in the Infield. Mug Club was totally worth it!

This event was so much fun! It was not out of control but like one big day party - the nice weather definitely helped but this event had a terrific atmosphere and good music.

Gorgeous 82 degree day. Beer was cold and plentiful. Awesome party with thousands of others. Event was superbly run and was a blast. Can't wait for Preakness weekend 2012!

Great event, great atmosphere, solid music, fun to bet a few bucks even if you have no idea what you're doing, love the unlimited beer.

Great event if you like horse racing, and betting on horse racing. If not the infield has plenty of things to do. I will definitely go back, I had absolutely zero complications for the entire event.

Much better than last year. Beer lines were quick with no wait. Bands were good as well. Can't beat $20 bottomless cup all day!

54 dollars to see two big name artists (Train and Bruno Mars), as well as the capability to watch the horse race and be at the national renowned Preakness Stakes made this event a no-brainer. If you could care less for betting on horses or any of the bands participating in the infieldfest, the Preakness Infield still provides for one of the most hopping parties on the entire east coast. Not a very family friendly environment - people passed out, rampant profanity, but a hell of a good time.

Beautiful weather! Fun crowd! Great music! Memorable event!

This event was extremely fun. The horse race itself is pretty secondary if you are in the infield - there is all you can drink beer, two concerts, a beach volleyball tournament, and tons of food and merchandise. That being said, the horse race is also awesome. The crowd was essentially 1/3 frat stars, 1/3 rednecks and 1/3 other. Everyone was just their to have a good time, and good times were had by all. The bus rides their and back were rowdy, the weather was beautiful - the only downside was that I lost $50 on Animal Kingdom. Fully recommend.