Preakness preparations begin

The Baltimore area will host myriad events, including a crab derby, a 5k race, a parade and a balloon launch, in the week leading up the 135th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race on May 15.

Gov. Martin O'Malley also announced a deal Friday that will keep the second leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown in Maryland. Some Maryland officials had fretted the state could lose the race because the company that owned the event was going through bankruptcy proceedings.

Though the famous horse race itself is on May 15, Pimlico Race Course , celebrations begin a week earlier with a 5k race that starts on the same track. Baltimore City finance officials had suggested the parade of lights would be cut this year, but a corporate sponsor agreed to pick up the tab.

-- Associated Press