Long-time Alibi Breakfast Attendees Enjoy Tradition at Laurel Park

Baltimorean John Barnes enjoys the Alibi Breakfast at Laurel Park, which included a souvenir Preakness edition tin of Old Bay seasoning. (Photo: Angie Kozlowski)

The pleasant sounds of live music floated from the Club House entrance into the parking lot. The smooth jazz was welcoming, as people began arriving before 9 am for a cherished Preakness week tradition—the Alibi Breakfast.

Begun in the 1930s, the breakfast is held on the Thursday before Preakness; it started as a roast-like event, with trainers and jockeys offering excuses (“alibis”) as to why they had not won the Kentucky Derby. Today, it serves as a kickoff event for the weekend, with trainers, owners, media, and racing fans mingling over breakfast prior to the start of the day’s races. At Laurel Park, the party seemed to start in a mid-event raucousness that spoke of the experience, ease, and longtime friendships of returning attendees, mixed with the excitement, curiosity, and possibilities of newcomers.

Lifelong Baltimore resident John Barnes, a retired Army combat medic and reservist, was one of those longtime attendees. His grandfather took him to the Preakness every year starting in 1967, and Barnes proudly said that he has seen every Triple Crown winner in his lifetime race at Pimlico. Other than when he was away on active duty, Barnes continued the tradition started by his grandfather by taking his own daughters and grandchildren. Being at Laurel Park for both the Alibi Breakfast and the Preakness marked a change; however, Barnes said he really liked the more formal atmosphere at the Laurel Park breakfast, compared to the Pimlico event, despite not getting an up-close look at the horses. Barnes, who lives near Pimlico Race Course, is watching the progress of the new Pimlico. He guessed that it was maybe about a third of the way complete so far.

Jackie and Rae, also from Baltimore, greeted old friends, posed for photos, and shared photos from past breakfasts showing Hall of Fame trainers and horseracing celebrities. This year marked their 54th consecutive Preakness. “And we’re only 39!” they joked. They bought tickets to the breakfast during a pre-sale event offered to prior attendees.  Jackie said, “We started out years ago watching in the infield.” And right on cue, Rae retorted, “But Jackie didn’t actually see a race until 13 years later, when we moved into the stands.” Jackie was spotted waving to the cameras of passing press from along the fence at the Preakness on Saturday. She looked thrilled to be there, continuing her decades-long attendance streak.

A first-time attendee, Laurel City Council President Brencis Smith, was happy to participate in the storied tradition of the Alibi Breakfast and to take in the festive atmosphere. He was looking forward to watching the big race on Saturday along with his four fellow City Councilmembers and Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor.

Following Alibi Breakfast tradition, trainers and jockeys did speak at the event. But, for those in the back—the media and people who purchased tickets via online public sales—it was near impossible to hear the speakers. No matter, though: throughout the breakfast, the jam-packed Terrace Dining Room was filled with excited chatter over the delicious buffet spread, the souvenir Old Bay tins and Preakness glassware, and memories of Preaknesses past.

As the breakfast was ending, conversations turned to the big race on Saturday. Then there was a sudden rush for the exits as people left the Terrace Room to explore Laurel Park, visit the Paddock, and place bets on the Thursday races.

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Angie Latham Kozlowski is a staff writer and member of the Board of Directors for the Laurel History Boys. In addition to her investigative reporting, her articles frequently spotlight Howard County.