Take a break: Celebrate the Triple Crown/Animation Video

Growing up in Baltimore, Md, May was all about the Preakness and Triple Crown hopefuls. The Preakness is the second of the three race series for three-year old thoroughbred horses. The other two are the Kentucky Derby (Churchill Downs in Kentucky), held two weeks before Preakness and the Belmont Stakes (Belmont Park in Elmont, New York), which takes places five weeks after the Derby.

Even though I now live in a part of the country where there isn’t a week dedicated to a horse race, many people still have Derby or Preakness parties. In keeping with this idea, below are ways to celebrate the various legs of the Triple Crown.

Kentucky Derby: I’ll Have Another won on Saturday but I’m still including some traditions that will be fun to try out, if not this year, maybe next. Of course if he wins in Baltimore, you might want to add a few items for the Belmont Stakes, since there hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Ladies in big hats sipping mint juleps seems to sum up the first leg of the Triple Crown. However, there are other lovely traditions, such as derby pie, which is really pecan pie.

• Roses are the traditional flower, so make some out of duct tape, if they aren’t in season (or affordable) where you live.

• . Follow along with the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home.” Notice how dressed many people are.

• Ride the Kentucky Derby Winner (virtually)

• Make Your Own Derby Hat

• Check out some of this year’s Derby Hats

Preakness: Having spent more than one Preakness performing in the infield of Pimlico Race Track, the single biggest thing I saw was the consumption of Black-Eyed-Susans. While some folks in the grandstands may have worn hats, I was a lot more familiar with the baseball caps and “beach attire” of the infield. With BBQ’s going and people playing volleyball and tossing the Frisbee, it felt like a day at the beach more then a day at the races. That said, here are some “traditions” to try out:

• Sing along with Maryland My Maryland. If you think it sounds like “Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree,” you are correct. In 1861, James Ryder Randall, a native of Maryland, was teaching in a Creole school in Louisiana during the early days of the Civil War. On April 19, 1861, Union troops marching through Baltimore to the President Street station were attacked by a crowd of men hurling bricks. The troops opened fire, killing several in the crowd. Outraged by the news that his friend, Francis Xavier Ward, was among the casualties, Randall articulated his Confederate sympathies as a nine-stanza poem entitled "Maryland, My Maryland." The poem was immediately popular throughout the south and was set to the traditional tune "Lauriger Horatius" ("O, Tannenbaum"). Teaching American History in Maryland

• Black Eyed Susan is both the official flower of Preakness, as well as the state’s flower. However, it doesn’t bloom until mid to late summer. In Vermont, it’s basically considered a weed. They are a hearty perennial and grow in many different climates. Purchase some seeds, plant and enjoy for many years to come.

• Crab in any form is the choice for many during Preakness week. There is nothing like a good crab cake. I’ve done some searching on-line and found a recipe close to the one I grew up with. When I can afford to make crab cakes, there are some givens that are required-saltine crackers (not a lot though), Old Bay Seasoning, egg, light on the mayo, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and dried mustard. Use whatever type of crabmeat you can afford. I’ll often get special as I like a stronger crab flavor. While many pan or deep fry, I put the crab cakes in the oven along with the Old Bay seasoned potato wedges that I’m roasting. Served along with Cole slaw, sliced tomatoes and some tartar sauce, the crab cakes are a perfect anecdote when I’m homesick

• Watch Secretariat: This movie is about the triple crown winner in 1973 and includes footage from his Preakness Race.

Belmont Stakes: With each leg of the Triple Crown, the mood becomes more relaxed and easy going. Well that’s true unless you have a horse that’s won the first two legs and is now a Triple Crown contender. Here the “blanket” for the winning horse is made of white carnations.

• Make tissue paper carnations. Use pinking shears to get the jagged edge so familiar to the carnation.

• Sing along with Frank Sinatra the official theme song for the Stakes New York, New York.

• While the official drink is Belmont Breeze, it doesn’t have the following of the Mint Julep or Black-Eyed-Susan. Instead the crowd tends to drink beer.

• Make some cupcakes that are frosted with green or white icing. Decorate with the official logo of 2012.

If you aren’t a Triple Crown fan, watch the most amazing medical animation video.