Washington correspondent and business of sports reporter

Jeff Barker

Jeff Barker is The Sun's Washington correspondent and a business of sports reporter. A University of Pennsylvania graduate, he formerly worked for AP and as the Arizona Republic’s Washington reporter. He has covered politics and Terps basketball and football for The Sun. He is co-director of a documentary on the development of baseball in China.

Pimlico, Laurel Park and other horse racing tracks to soon ban Lasix, a widely used medication

June 24, 2019 at 8:31 p.m.

A group of prominent American horse racing organizations and tracks — including Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course, site of the Preakness stakes — pledged Thursday to begin phasing out the use...

In this May 19, 2018, photo, Justify, with Mike Smith aboard, wins the 143rd Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Economic impact of Preakness Stakes in Baltimore would top $50 million annually, study says

June 30, 2019 at 8:20 a.m.

The Preakness Stakes would generate $52.7 million in economic activity each year if the iconic horse race remained in Baltimore at a rebuilt Pimlico Race Course, according to a new...

As Pimlico faded, its owners were pouring money into their Laurel track. Was anyone watching?

June 29, 2019 at 8:20 a.m.

The long-running competition between Maryland's two biggest horse racing tracks — Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course — might be entering the final stretch with the tracks' owner and Baltimore...

The track at a rebuilt Pimlico envisioned by a Maryland Stadium Authority study would be rotated 35 degrees from its current orientation to parallel West Belvedere Avenue and would be surrounded by nonracing amenities including residences, shops and entertainment.

Like ‘stealing the Colts’: Baltimore leaders gird for battle to keep Preakness in city

June 30, 2019 at 4:14 p.m.

Ten weeks after a study recommended that the city, state and Pimlico Race Course owner negotiate over the track's future, the dialogue has become strained and Baltimore’s elected officials and...

Jockey Kent J. Desormeaux celebrates as he heads for the winner's circle after winning the 141st Preakness Stakes aboard Exaggerator in 2016.

Here is how the Preakness has moved closer to leaving Baltimore

July 1, 2019 at 6:08 a.m.

The Preakness Stakes — which Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh has called the city's "Super Bowl” — might be leaving town. Here is a primer on how that happened and where...

Temple quarterback Anthony Russo throws to a receiver in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

At University of Maryland, football fandom continues to fall

June 30, 2019 at 4:40 p.m.

The University of Maryland has struggled to reverse recent declines in fan interest in the football program, which underwent a turbulent 2018 season after the heatstroke death of 19-year-old player...

D.J. Durkin is introduced as Maryland's new head football coach. Durkin comes from the University of Michigan, where he was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Placed on leave, University of Maryland’s Durkin continued to advise football team through assistant coaches

June 30, 2019 at 6:21 p.m.

Former University of Maryland football coach DJ Durkin continued to communicate with assistant coaches and develop game plans for the team after being placed on administrative leave amid media reports...

Widow of slain Capital Gazette reporter John McNamara spreads his ashes at Nationals Park

August 21, 2019 at 9:25 p.m.

WASHINGTON — The wife of slain Capital Gazette reporter John McNamara barely allowed herself to believe that the Washington Nationals would one day allow her to scatter his ashes amid...

Preakness will return to Baltimore’s Pimlico in 2019. After that, the race’s home is uncertain

June 30, 2019 at 3:15 a.m.

The owners of the 148-year-old Pimlico Race Course say they're committed to holding the Preakness Stakes — Maryland's largest and splashiest sporting event — at the faded Baltimore horse track...

Sure, there were plenty of fascinators, but colorful, larger-than-life hats adorned with flowers and ribbons turned heads around the track. Pictured is Bri Mott, 28, of Lexington, Ky.

Under Armour absence creates void at Preakness as infield ticket sales also lag

June 30, 2019 at 9:19 p.m.

Ticket sales for the infield at the Preakness Stakes — the state’s biggest single-day event — are down 30 percent compared to this time last year, even as organizers are...

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