Kegasus Presides Over Preakness Infield Party At Pimlico (PHOTOS)

Whether you wanted to see him again or not, Kegasus has returned. According to the official website for the Preakness, he's bringing a friend to the raucous infield party this year: UniCarl.

Although the official drink of the Preakness is the black-eyed susan, Kegasus seems pretty set to drink beer -- and to sell you beer.

The controversial half-man, half-horse, dubbed the "Lord of the InfieldFest" was introduced in 2011 to help lift attendance, which had fallen off in the years after Pimlico changed its policy to ban spectators from bringing their own alcoholic beverages to the race track. The centaur, played by an actor, has been widely criticized for promoting excessive drinking and for being an embarrassment to the state of Maryland.

None of that stopped the Maryland Jockey Club from bringing Kegasus back, considering his role in last year's boost in attendance.

So, if you're heading out to Pimlico or just tuning in to the extensive NBC coverage, don't expect to see as many fancy hats and dresses as you saw at Churchill Downs for the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby. There won't be nearly as many horses in the Preakness either, although Derby winner I'll Have Another is back along with early favorite Bodemeister. But don't let the relative lack of pomp and circumstance let you think this won't be a big event.

For better and for worse (and for the bathroom race), the party at Pimlico has developed a reputation every bit as mythical as its mascots. Here are some photos from the infield from recent years.