Lang celebrated at Pimlico
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Before the first race of the annual spring meeting at Pimlico on Saturday, the Maryland racing community said goodbye to one of its most legendary figures, former Pimlico General Manager Chick Lang, who passed away March 18 at the age of 83. Lang's wishes were to be cremated and to have his ashes circle on horseback around the Pimlico one-mile oval and then spread in the Preakness (G1) winner's circle near the cupola. The day began with a memorial service in the Triple Crown Room hosted by WBAL Radio's John Patti for approximately 100 guests. Then there was a ceremony in the winner's circle which included a five-minute video tribute produced by the Lang Family that was displayed on the Lumatron board. "Dad would have loved today," Lang's daughter Debi Tessier said. "Opening day at Pimlico was his second favorite day of the year. He did not want a funeral. This was his church. He believed that you lived your religion by being good to other people and I think that was evidenced today by the people who came and what they shared. I know he is smiling at all of us today. He is in the Preakness winner's circle, which he was very specific about. What we saw today was the spirit of my father with everyone sticking together and making it happen."
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Known as Mr. Preakness, Lang's roots in the horse racing industry ran deep.
His grandfather, John Mayberry, was a Kentucky Derby-winning trainer in 1903 and
his father, Chick Lang Sr., won the 1928 Kentucky Derby aboard Reigh Count. His
son Chickie was a racetrack executive at Oaklawn Park and Retama Park and his
grandson, Bart Lang, is currently the Director of Racing at Lone Star Park.
Throughout his career, Lang held every job imaginable on the race track, from
hotwalker to general manager. He was a successful jockey's agent, handling the
book for five-time Kentucky Derby winner Bill Hartack, but he was happiest
during his years at Pimlico from 1960-1987.
At the historic Baltimore track, he served as Director of Racing and then
Vice President and General Manager. If there was anything Lang loved almost as
much as his family, it was the Preakness. Chick promoted the Preakness like no
other, traveling to Louisville with "Next Stop Preakness" signs. He went as far
as to float hundreds of yellow and black balloons over the Kentucky Derby
Parade.
The opening of the infield on Preakness day was Chick's brainchild. He
brought a school bus filled with his daughter's friends to the infield to watch
the races and lacrosse games and oversaw its growth into the mega-event that we
know today. Preakness attendance rose from 30,659 in 1960 to 87,945 during
Lang's tenure at Old Hilltop.
Lang spent his retirement on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He is survived by his
wife of 63 years, Nancy Christman Lang. Their son Chickie passed away from
cancer in 1992. He is also survived by his daughter Debi, six grandchildren and
12 great-grandchildren.
"He loved my mother and was a terrific father to my brother and me," Tessier
added. "I admire him for the way he went on after my brother passed away.
Growing up on the race track was a great childhood."
The Maryland Jockey Club has renamed the Hirsch Jacobs S. in honor of Lang.
The Grade 3 sprint will be run on the Preakness undercard on May 15.
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