The People Behind Preakness, continued...
er Chip Woolley and Mine T at Bird, was one of my favorites,” she said. “Team O’Neil are such a phenomenal group to work with. T eir dedica- tion and love of the sport really shows through.” With the 143rd Preakness Stakes just around the corner, Diana invites fans new and old to come out to Pimlico for the Sunrise Tours. “It really is a very special experience as most fans never get a chance to see the backside of the track,” she said. “And to be on that track that early when it is quiet and the horses are work- ing, it is just a great way to start your day.” Diana also suggests fans make their way to
the Pimlico paddock at some point before a race, and be prepared for a long enjoyable day!
Ryan Allen
Director of Emergency Medical Services
Accidents happen.
When a horse is involved, these accidents can be se- rious, which is why the Maryland Jockey Club has an extensive in-house medical team to take care of the horsemen’s safety. Led by Ryan Allen, Director of Emergency Medical Services, this team includes emergency medical technicians, ambulance drivers and members with shock trauma, and even military experience. “I am re- ally lucky to have such a great cast of people behind me,” Ryan said of his team. “I am really proud of my team. We take our job very seri- ously and they are all very dedicated to their jobs and the horsemen we look out for.” On a typical race day, MJC has two ambu- lances on or near the track, with two medics in each. “At Laurel we drive the ambulance be- hind the horses as the race is going on,” Ryan said. “T e track at Pimlico is a bit more narrow
Ryan Allen
so we are not following the race but are po- sitioned in key points, ready if needed.” Ryan added that a good day for his team is a boring day at the track. “We hang out and hope for the best but are prepared for the worst.” Ryan has been a medic for six years, but fi rst got
involved with racing when he started working for MJC. “I have a lot of pride in being part of the sec- ond jewel in the Triple Crown,” he said. “Watch- ing the Preakness each year is a lot of fun and get- ting to see a Triple Crown winner with American Pharoah stands out for sure in my mind.” On Preakness Day, Ryan’s team gets larger on the track, in the backside and in the stands. “We have more people on hand for the ambu- lances, but rotate them throughout the day since it is a much longer race day,” he explained, adding “It’s exciting and electric and I never have trouble staffi ng that day!” In addition to the on-track staff , Ryan contracts out for additional staff to cover spectator safety. “T at way they are focusing on the fans and my crew can stay focused on the horsemen.” MJC’s overall commitment to safety is impressive–every single security guard
that works for them is trained in CPR and AED use. “T is is huge and I’m very proud that MJC has stepped up to such a high level of ser- vice for its staff and horsemen,” Ryan said. “We all really like working with these riders and want to be our best for them.”
Lawrence Jones Painter
Baltimore native Lawrence Jones does not
technically work for the Maryland Jockey Club, but he has been a part of the Preakness Stakes for the past 30 years as the race’s offi cial painter of the weather vane and Stakes Barn jockey. After taking classes for commercial arts and
sign painting in junior high, he attended the Maryland School for the Arts in Baltimore. Lawrence worked for Baltimore City when the track was maintained by the city. “When the guy who used to do it retired, I was asked if I wanted to start painting the weather vane,” Lawrence said. “And then each year they kept asking me to come back!” On Preakness Day, Lawrence and his wife head into the infi eld so that Lawrence is close to the historic Pimlico cupola come time for the big race. “All the equipment is there on race day so I go up above the cupola right before the race starts and watch from up there,” he said. Today’s more modern Preakness infi eld festivi- ties obstruct most of his race viewing. “With all the tents and stages and things, I really only get to see the horses leaving and then coming back around for the fi nish but I’m up there waiting to see who the winner is.” Once the win is offi cial, Lawrence studies the winning silks and jockey features, and gets started on the weather vane. “T e winning jockey and horse come right in front of the cu- pola so I get a good look and study of the col- ors and features,” he explained. Lawrence uses One Shot sign painters paint, which he says, “Is
continued...
Lawrence Jones
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