Maryland Business

By: Liz Farmer

Almost as if to rub it in that the Preakness’ infield is no longer BYOB, the event’s promoters announced today who its title sponsor would be: You guessed it, Bud Light.

Here’s what Robert Barraco, geographic marketing manager for Anheuser-Busch Inc., had to say about the 2009 Bud Light Preakness InfieldFEST in a news release: “This partnership allows us to market Bud Light in the classic setting that is the Pimlico Race Course. It is an honor to be a part of bringing these two great brands together and we are looking forward to an exciting weekend.”

OK, I’m going to pick on Barraco a little here, but since when has Bud Light and its goofy, low ball humor commercials (of which I’m a fan, by the way) ever made anyone think of a ‘classic’ and prestigious horse race? Not that the infield crowd was ever prestigious, but by banning outside beverages, the race’s organizers have indicated they’d like to turn up the maturity (and civility) level a notch. Even using Budweiser with its iconic Clydesdales would have made more sense as a title sponsor if that’s what you’re going for.

But more importantly, does anyone else smell something fishy here? With all the uproar over outside alcohol being banned from the infield, the organizers then score Bud Light as the top supporter of the event. Conspiracy theorists, take your shot…