Still, 2008 was less by quite a bit than 2002, 2003, and 2004.

2004 (Smarty Jones year) is the number that skews everything. He was such a popular horse, plus you picked up the whole Philly contingent and the attendence was north of 120k.

Take that year out and it's about 8% less than '02 &'03. I would say that the heat probably played a big role in that.

I think a part of it is also that to an extent we're not ready to believe that this horse is the best of the the 3-year old crop.

He won the SA Derby, but wasn't bet much in the Derby.
Bode runs the huge Derby, so Bode is the favorite in the Preakness. But IHA wins.
Now IHA should actually be the favorite, but with history against him- people are still kinda like "I'll believe it when I see it"
Almost kinda like a War Emblem feel to it? Is he really the best? Is he really gonna pull this off?

But yeah, I'll buy a souvenir win ticket :)

Probably had something to do with the ban on bringing in your own alcohol. The Smarty Jones year was out of control.

Not quite as bad as the Preakness attendance drop from 2008 to 2009, but probably had some effect on the overall numbers.

They seperated the porta-pottys, hence the drop :rolleyes: :zz:................................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...I&feature=fvwp

I saw this occur from the grandstand. I always wonder if the fellow ever got up.

:tro: :D

In general, I'm a sucker for racing tchotchkes.

As far as souvenir tickets, I've got Smarty's Preakness (and Belmont), Lost in the Fog's Riva Ridge BC, Afleet Alex's Belmont, Sun King's PA Derby, Barbaro's Derby, tickets from the '07 BC for War Pass, Midnight Lute, English Channel and Curlin, Hysterical Lady's Del Cap and Blind Luck's Del Cap.

I will buy some souvenir tickets for IHA. But if he loses, like I did with the ones I bought for Big Brown, they'll get tossed.