maryland my maryland | Horse Racing Free Tips

Musical Traditions At Preakness To Be Reimagined Thanks To Darin Atwater, Wyclef Jean

The Stronach Group, owners of the legendary Preakness Stakes, together with 1/ST LIVE, leaders in blending the worlds of sports, entertainment and hospitality through uniquely curated events, announce a wholly reimagined entertainment experience for Preakness 145. 1/ST LIVE has partnered with Baltimore's own Darin Atwater, who will serve as this year's Preakness Creative Director. Atwater founded Soulful Symphony in 2000, an orchestra made up of predominantly Black and Latinx musicians who perform a mash-up of Atwater's original compositions along with American Roots Music, covering every conceivable style and genre. Atwater will arrange, orchestrate and oversee the performance and musical transformation of traditional musical Preakness moments, including the National Anthem, Riders Up and the iconic Call to Post.

Joining Atwater and Soulful Symphony will be three-time Grammy Award-winning rapper, songwriter and producer, Wyclef Jean. Wyclef – solo superstar and guiding member of hip-hop group, the Fugees – has been a consistently powerful pop culture force for over two decades. He will lend his extensive expertise and creativity to help revamp Riders Up, a race day favorite that signals to the jockeys to mount their horses. Wyclef, Atwater and Soulful Symphony will also use the time and platform that would have been provided for the “Maryland, My Maryland” performance to instead reimagine the musical traditions of the Preakness with a unique and inclusive piece curated for Preakness 145.

Call to Post, the iconic tradition that signals the start of the race, will be presented for the first time as a contemporary mash-up in collaboration with Brian Newman, American jazz musician and Lady Gaga's band leader, and the Maryland Jockey Club's own trumpet duo, Sam Grossman and Beth Dixon. Newman is an acclaimed trumpet player who has performed with the likes of Tony Bennett and Mark Murphy.

“Since 1873, Preakness has been an American institution, built on tradition with an eye towards the future,” said Atwater. “This fusion of tradition and innovation is a hallmark of Soulful Symphony's mission. These reimagined versions of some of the Preakness' long-standing values — whether it's creating a unique piece of music that documents Maryland's rich varied history and diversity or incorporating musicians from the city — are a celebration of Baltimore. Preakness has always been known as “The People's Race,” and we want to pay respect and homage to those who have made Preakness what it is today as well as highlight how the contributions of African-American jockeys were seminal in its beginning.”

Traditionally coinciding with National Military Day on the third Saturday of May, Preakness will move forward with a full day of programming that honors and celebrates branches of the United States military. Beginning the morning of the race, the program will start with the Presentation of Colors by the United States Cyber Command, National Security Agency/Central Security Service Joint Service Color Guard, and the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner by the United States Navy. The Joint Service Color Guard will also present the coveted Woodlawn Vase, transporting the trophy to the cupola winner's circle, where it will await the winner of the 145^th Preakness Stakes (G1). Concluding the military program will be a second Presentation of Colors by the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion before moving into Soulful Symphony's performance of the National Anthem live on NBC to kick off the broadcast.

“Preakness 145 was an opportunity for us to take a step back and challenge ourselves, especially as the world looks a bit different than it did last year,” said Jimmy Vargas, Executive Vice President, Entertainment, 1/ST LIVE. “We are thrilled to partner with Darin and Soulful Symphony and to have Wyclef Jean and Brian Newman bring Preakness traditions to life in an innovative way and to move forward with new traditions that are inclusive of people of all generations and backgrounds.”

Preakness 145, taking place on Saturday, Oct. 3 will proceed without live spectators. Fans will be able to experience the excitement live on NBC from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET. In addition to the musical performances and races, viewers can expect virtual celebrity appearances from actor and host Mario Lopez, TV host and stylist Jeannie Mai, actor JB Smoove, and singer-songwriter Kandi Burruss who will share their Preakness picks and at home celebrations.

Wagering on Preakness 145 can be enjoyed regardless of where fans are viewing the race day card with handicapping tools available on the 1/ST BET app. Part of the 1/ST TECHNOLOGY suite of handicapping and betting products, 1/ST BET is changing the game by delivering a user-friendly experience that suits everyone from the experienced horseplayer to the first-timer.

The post Musical Traditions At Preakness To Be Reimagined Thanks To Darin Atwater, Wyclef Jean appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

‘Maryland, My Maryland” Won’t Be Played at Preakness

The Stronach Group, which operates Pimlico, has confirmed that the song “Maryland, My Maryland” will no longer be played before the running of the GI Preakness S. The story was first reported by the racingbiz.com.

The song, which has been played at Pimlico since 1909, has stirred up controversy because its lyrics are meant to encourage Maryland to join the Confederacy. The sixth verse includes the following lines; “Dear Mother! burst the tyrant’s chain, Maryland! Virginia should not call in vain, Maryland! She meets her sisters on the plain-‘Sic semper!’ ’tis the proud refrain.”

The song was adapted from a poem by James Ryder Randal, which called the Union “Northern scum.”

At the Preakness, only the third verse, one that is not particularly controversial, is usually played.

In the aftermath of the George Floyd death, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) announced she would lead an effort to remove Maryland, My Maryland as the state’s official song.

“The Maryland Jockey Club is respectful and supportive of Speaker Jones’ move to remove ‘Maryland My Maryland’ as the state song, and we look forward to starting a new tradition for Preakness 145,” the Stronach Group said in a statement.

In another sign of the times, Pimlico has changed the name of the GII Dixie S. It will now be known by its original name, the Dinner Party S. The race has been run since 1870.

The post ‘Maryland, My Maryland” Won’t Be Played at Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Stronach Group To End Playing Of ‘Maryland, My Maryland’ At Preakness Stakes

“Maryland, My Maryland” has been played before the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico every year since 1909, but The Racing Biz reports that streak will end this year.

Adopted as the state song in 1939, “Maryland, My Maryland” was originally written in 1861 by James Ryder Randall in an effort to urge the state to join the Confederacy.

Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) announced in June that she would lead a legislative effort to remove it as the state song in 2021.

“The Maryland Jockey Club is respectful and supportive of Speaker Jones' move to remove 'Maryland My Maryland' as the state song, and we look forward to starting a new tradition for Preakness 145,” reads a Stronach Group statement issued after Jones' announcement.