Preakness Sets Attendance Record For 2017 Races: Maryland Jockey Club

BALTIMORE, MD — Attendance at Saturday's Preakness Stakes broke a record, according to the Maryland Jockey Club, which reported there were 140,327 people watching as Cloud Computing raced his way to the winner's circle.

Preakness organizers said the previous record for attendance was set in 2016; that year, attendance was 135,256.

"We want to thank the fans who came to Pimlico Saturday as well as the horsemen who supported our program this weekend — and, of course, the incredible equine athletes for their spirit and beauty," Maryland Jockey Club President Sal Sinatra said. "From morning into evening, we witnessed an incredible day of world-class racing and eclectic entertainment."

Three-year-old Cloud Computing pushed ahead of Classic Empire on the home stretch to win the Preakness Stakes. It was the fourth race of Cloud Computing's career. His c0-owner, Seth Klarman, reportedly grew up in the Mount Washington area on Whitney Avenue, less than a mile from Pimlico Race Course.

Klarman is the CEO of Boston-based hedge fund firm Baupost Group and has authored a book on value investing called "Margin of Safety."

Horse racing is "gambling — this is a risky undertaking," Klarman told The Baltimore Sun, "not at all like what I do with the rest of my life," which involves more calculated investments.

Even so, Klarman said after the race that trainer Chad Brown had come up with a "brilliant plan" for Cloud Computing, according to the Associated Press, to let the horse rest during the Kentucky Derby and focus on Preakness instead.

Cloud Computing had just made his racing debut in February.

Related: Cloud Computing Wins Preakness Stakes In Major Upset

The finishers were as follows in the Preakness Stakes, Daily Racing Form reports:

1. Cloud Computing
2. Classic Empire
3. Senior Investment
4. Lookin At Lee
5. Gunnevera
6. Multiplier
7. Conquest Mo Money
8. Always Dreaming
9. Hence
10. Term of Art
    

Pictured, Cloud Computing #2 ridden by Javier Castellano, left, beats Classic Empire #5 ridden by Julien Leparoux to win the 142nd running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images.