Race for the Black-Eyed Susans

Tomorrow is the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes. People will be making their way to see the horses run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Two weeks ago my post about the Kentucky Derby opened this series.

Will the Derby winner Super Saver win the second crown? Or will he be beaten by Lookin At Lucky who is almost equally favored in the odds? Calvin Borel rode Rachel Alexandra to victory in last year's Preakness, can he repeat the feat with Super Saver? All these questions will be answered tomorrow in the 1 3/16 mile race.

The race website has many race traditions chronicled. There is the singing of "Maryland, My Maryland" and the painting of the winner's colors on the weather vain on the Old Clubhouse cupola.

Also online is the official drink recipe. It is reproduced below, but I use whatever vodka brand I have at hand. In case you are wondering, the Black-Eyed Susan is a flower. It is the state flower of Maryland and the winner of the Preakness is presented with a blanket of the flowers. This lends the race another name, the same way the Kentucky Derby is the Run for the Roses.

Black-Eyed Susan

1 1/4 oz Early Times Kentucky Whiskey
3/4 oz 42 Below Vodka
3 oz Sour Mix
2 oz Orange Juice

Combine and garnish with orange slice and cherry.

I will take this opportunity to add to my post from the Derby a couple of weeks ago. I made some Derby Pie and it had a full stick of butter.


Derby Pie

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 stick butter, melted
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1 unbaked pie shell (the recipe insisted upon Pillsbury, but I used Marie Calender's)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, one at a time, then vanilla and melted butter. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour into pie shell and bake for 30-40 minutes. Let cool to set.