At My Lady’s Manor, timber racing blends risk, tradition and ritual

By the time spectators filtered in, they came prepared. It was the 115th running of the races — the opening leg of Maryland’s timber Triple Crown — and thousands settled in for the afternoon, setting up tailgates beside their cars and under tents, dressed in spring colors and spread along the rails as horses charged through four races across the rolling course. For many, the day is less a one-time outing and more a ritual.

“This is the highlight of our spring,” said spectator Mark Olszyk, who has attended the past 10 years with his family. Olszyk came with his son, Gabe — a senior at John Carroll — and Gabe’s friend, Teagan Baralo, a Calvert Hall senior. And if there was any doubt about the unofficial competition for best outfit, their group made a convincing case.

Olszyk leaned into the day’s tradition with a classic race-day look: A straw hat perched on his head, a yellow button-down neatly tucked with a blue bowtie and Maryland flag-inspired suspenders. Beside him, Gabe and Teagan took a different route entirely. Each wore inflatable horse costumes strapped around their waists, giving the illusion they were galloping through the crowd.

The seniors said this year’s look might not top past efforts — fully enclosed inside oversized inflatable horses. This time, they settled for “riding” them instead. Still, in a field full of bold fashion and louder personalities, it was hard to miss them.