Sports reporter

Childs Walker

Childs Walker is a sports enterprise reporter. Since 2001, he has covered Carroll County politics, Anne Arundel County land use, the Orioles, higher education, the 9/11 attacks, a Super Bowl and more. He grew up in Baltimore, learning to put Old Bay on everything and be suspicious of Washington, attended Gilman and graduated from Emory University.

Trainer Bob Baffert talks reporters about his horse, Imagination who will run in the 149th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Saturday. (Lloyd Fox/Staff)

Preakness 2024: Bob Baffert is back in the race he’s dominated with a hand diminished by rare bad luck

May 18, 2024 at 7:30 a.m.

Bob Baffert is back at the Preakness Stakes, his Triple Crown oasis since he was suspended from the Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 01: Fierceness runs on the track during the morning training for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 01, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Kentucky Derby 2024: 5 storylines to watch, including Fierceness’ odds at greatness and other contenders

May 2, 2024 at 3:48 p.m.

Saturday's 150th running of the Kentucky Derby will feature several contenders with the talent to be memorable.

1993: Maryland Gov. William Donald Schaefer, left, signs as Orioles general counsel and investor George P. Stamas, standing, Peter G. Angelos, and Thomas L. Clancey, Jr. look on at the announcement of the new ownership of Baltimore Orioles, Inc. beyond the right field wall outside the warehouse. (Karl Merton Ferron/staff)

Orioles owner Peter Angelos dies at 94

April 7, 2025 at 8:41 a.m.

Peter George Angelos, longtime Orioles owner, Baltimore political activist and one of the most successful class-action attorneys in U.S. history, died Saturday, according to the Orioles.

John Velazquez, riding National Treasure, wins this year's Preakness Stakes on May 20 at Pimlico Race Course.

1/ST Racing considering moving back date of Preakness Stakes in potential shake-up of Triple Crown calendar

August 10, 2023 at 9:42 p.m.

The Preakness Stakes would be run four weeks after the Kentucky Derby, instead of the traditional two, under a plan being floated by the CEO of 1/ST Racing, which owns...

Spectators dance to a DJ at Preakness Live.

2023 Preakness Stakes: National Treasure wins 148th running for trainer Bob Baffert

May 21, 2023 at 12:37 a.m.

Bob Baffert's voice cracked as he tried to make sense of a tragic, triumphant Saturday at Pimlico Race Course. The Hall of Fame trainer had watched his horse, Havnameltdown, suffer...

A statue of Triple Crown winner Secretariat by artist Jocelyn Russell catches the attention of visitors on a tour of Pimlico on Tuesday. Fifty years after Secretariat won the Preakness, racing lovers say there's never been another horse like him, and there probably never will be.

2023 Preakness: Secretariat, 50 years after winning the Triple Crown, looms larger than ever

May 19, 2023 at 6:13 p.m.

George Cusimano heard the big, red horse coming more than he saw him. Sitting atop pacesetter Ecole Etage in the early stages of the 1973 Preakness Stakes, Cusimano had to...

Trainer Chad Brown holds the Woodlawn replica vase after his horse Early Voting won the 147th Preakness last May.

2023 Preakness: 5 storylines to watch as post time draws near

May 19, 2023 at 8:48 p.m.

At least Mage's owners and his trainer, Gustavo Delgado, decided to run their horse in the Preakness Stakes two weeks after his unexpected triumph in the Kentucky Derby. Because without...

Leon Newsome, pictured Wednesday at Madison Square Garden in New York City, rose from Gilman to the top ranks of the U.S. Secret Service and his current role as the NBA's security chief.

As NBA’s security chief, Baltimore native Leon Newsome will guard the pingpong balls that determine Victor Wembanyama’s home

May 16, 2023 at 1:10 p.m.

The 19-year-old Frenchman has whetted NBA appetites like no prospect since LeBron James. As such, the draft lottery that determines a professional destination for Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-2 wonder who...

The eight-horse field for Saturday's Preakness is set after the post-position draw Monday. Kentucky Derby winner Mage, who will break from the No. 3 post and is an 8-5 favorite, will face a field of more rested, less accomplished challengers.

2023 Preakness: Kentucky Derby champion Mage listed as 8-5 favorite and will start from No. 3 post

May 16, 2023 at 4:24 p.m.

Kentucky Derby champion Mage is an 8-5 favorite for Saturday's Preakness Stakes in an eight-horse field devoid of opponents he faced in the first leg of the Triple Crown series....

Horses head down the stretch run during a race at Laurel Park last Sunday. Four horses have suffered fatal injuries this year in races at Laurel (10 died from racing injuries in 2022) while six more have died from injuries in training.

2023 Preakness: Worry over deaths pervades as horse racing world turns its eyes to Baltimore

May 16, 2023 at 4:29 p.m.

To a person, they cross their fingers or say a small prayer every time a major race draws near: Please, please do not let a horse breakdown. Those who love...

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