It’s no secret that this website objects strenuously to that paunchy, mangy centaur who acts as the mascot of the second leg of horse racing’s most prestigious series. When Kegasus debuted last year, we retched, but quickly realized that a pasty, beer-swilling half-man half-horse was the perfect anthropomorphic representation for the louche middle leg of the Triple Crown.
Yesterday, Capital News Service took a leisurely glance at what makes the Preakness the low-slung cousin of the hoity-toity Kentucky Derby—beer bongs, bottomless mugs of beer, free-flowing National Bohemian, some fourth quality involving beer.
More heeled horse-racing aficionados are not fond of the party atmosphere at Pimlico Downs. Tough for them, as InfieldFest, banking on last year’s success, is only getting bigger this year:
This year, the InfieldFest will kick it up yet another notch with live performances by Grammy winners Maroon 5 and multi-platinum rapper Wiz Khalifa.
There will also be Olympic beach volleyball matches, cornhole competitions and a bikini contest.
“What does it say about the state of horse racing that you’re so concerned with attendance that you’re having a keg party in the infield?” [University of Maryland marketing professor Stephen] McDaniel asked. “Horse racing has tried over and over again to get people interested, but they can’t. Running a promotion like this is saying, ‘Come out and drink.’”
But Preakness organizers say their party-first model is the only way to attract new fans.
And, oh, yes, Kegasus will return. We actually learned in March that the mascot, who looks like the bastard child of Thor and an overweight workhorse, will make his second appearance as the booze-doling master of ceremonies. But the Capital News Service’s story yesterday totally buried the lede and nearly swept away the worst development in the Kegasus saga: He’s getting a sidekick.
Meet UniCarl, described as a “half-man, half-unicorn serves as Kegasus’ personal assistant and trainer.”
Ugh.
Look, there’s nothing wrong with going to the races and getting stinko. What’s the worst that ever came of mixing booze and the ponies? (OK, don’t answer.) But a sidekick? Those guys are the worst! Kegasus is bad enough, but did the Preakness learn nothing from Robin, Scrappy Doo, Bucky Barnes, Ed McMahon or Poochie? Sidekicks offer limited, if any, added value.
But it seems the lesson was lost upon the planners of InfieldFest. If you’re planning on marking May 19 by going blotto and rocking out to Maroon 5 and Wiz Khalifa, enjoy the day spent with Kegasus and his new little buddy, UniCarl. At least, judging by his Twitter profile—yes, that exists—UniCarl is wearing a shirt.
