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POLITICS

The Political Appeal of the Triple Crown -- PICTURES

By Michael Catalini

Updated: May 4, 2012 | 9:46 a.m.
May 3, 2012 | 9:34 a.m.

(Doug Gansler/Creative Commons)

The Triple Crown races are, among other things, equal parts infield revelry and patrician cocktail party. But the races, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes are also popular and economic draws for the cities that host the races. So, naturally, the races have provided a stage for the political set as well: from the local politician, to the presidential contender, to the Queen of England. Take a look through some of the notable race attendees.

PICTURES: Triple Crown Races, Political Magnet Through the Years

<p>At horseracing's Preakness, it is a tradition for the governor of Maryland to present the Woodlawn Vase to the race's winner. In 2010, a gubernatorial election year in Maryland, Gov. Martin O'Malley continued the tradition.</p> - Doug Gansler/Creative Commons

<p>For Baltimore, the Preakness is a major event. Some 100,000 people are expected to attend the race at Pimlico. Where throngs of people and major economic events combine, there you'll find a politician. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake, a Democrat, address the crowds at Pimlico in 2010. - Doug Gansler/Creative Commons

<p>Michael Steele attended the Preakness in 2005 while he was lieutenant governor of Maryland, a year before his Senate race against Ben Cardin who won the seat after the retirement of Paul Sarbanes.</p> - Richard A. Bloom

<p>J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime director of the FBI, attended the Derby in 1937. He is seen here in a 1951 file photo.</p> - AFP Photo

<p>President Richard Nixon attended the Derby in 1969. He is seen here in a White House photo from 1970.</p> - National Archives

<p>General Norman Schwartzkopf, who led troops during the first Gulf War, attended in 1991. He is seen here in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in April 1991.</p>

<p>Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore, seen here in 2007, attended the famed horse race in 1999, just as the presidential election was heating up.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

<p>Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, attended the Kentucky Derby in 2007 when the queen was on an official visit to the United States.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

<p>In 2007, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., for the Kentucky Derby.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

<p>Chelsea Clinton attended the race in 2008. She is seen here at a 2010 Clinton Global Initiative event held for the people of Haiti in the wake of the natural disaster there.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

<p>Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear (L) attended the event in 2010 and will be at the event in 2011 as well. President Obama, who was at Fort Campbell, Ky., Friday will not be attending this year's race. Beshear is seen here in 2008 with then-candidate Obama in Philadelphia.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

<p>In 2000, Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush stands with jockey Pat Day in the paddock at the Kentucky Derby.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

<p>In 2000, presidential candidate George W. Bush attended the Kentucky Derby—and greeted one of the event's attendees.</p> - Getty/AFP photo

PICTURES: Triple Crown Races, Political Magnet Through the Years

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