The Preakness Stakes is an annual horse race that is held in the United States, typically the second Saturday of May, at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The event is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, following the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness Stakes has been run since 1873 and is the third-oldest of the three Triple Crown events. It is also the most attended race in the United States with over 140,000 spectators attending in 2019.
History of Preakness Race
The Preakness Stakes is named for the colt Preakness, who won the Dinner Party Stakes on October 25, 1870. It was first run at the old Pimlico Race Course on May 27, 1873. The Dinner Party Stakes was renamed for Preakness in 1873 and the race was officially designated as the Preakness Stakes.
The Preakness was first held at the old Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland and was run there until 1908 when it was moved to Morris Park Racecourse in the Bronx, New York. The race was then moved back to Pimlico in 1909 and has been held there ever since.
Preakness Race Today
The Preakness Stakes is still held today at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is typically run on the second Saturday in May and is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The race is preceded by the Kentucky Derby and followed by the Belmont Stakes.
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The race is run at a distance of 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs). The purse for the race has steadily increased over the years and is currently $1.5 million with a $900,000 purse for the winner.
Notable Winners of Preakness Race
The Preakness Stakes has been won by some of the most famous Thoroughbreds in history. Some of the notable winners of the race include:
- Man o’ War – 1920
- Secretariat – 1973
- Seattle Slew – 1977
- Afleet Alex – 2005
- American Pharoah – 2015
Preakness Race Post Time
The Preakness Stakes is typically run on the second Saturday in May, usually around 6:45 PM Eastern Time. The post time for the Preakness Stakes is determined by when the race is scheduled to start.
Preakness Race Betting
Betting on the Preakness Stakes is available through various online and on-track betting outlets. The most popular form of betting on the Preakness Stakes is the win, place, and show bet, which is a straight bet on the horse that will finish first, second, or third in the race. Other bets available include exactas, trifectas, and superfectas.
Preakness Race Weekend Events
The Preakness Stakes is the third leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing and is the centerpiece of a weekend full of events. The events include:
- The Preakness InfieldFest – an all-day music festival
- The Preakness 5K – a 3.1 mile race through the streets of Baltimore
- The Black-Eyed Susan Day – a day of racing featuring the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes
- The Preakness Ball – a night of dining and dancing
Preakness Race Winners Circle
The Preakness Stakes winners circle is a special area of the Pimlico Race Course that is reserved for the winners of the race. It is located near the finish line and is typically filled with dignitaries, celebrities, and the owners and trainers of the winning horse.
Preakness Race Record
The Preakness Stakes record time was set in 1973 by the legendary Secretariat, who ran the race in 1:53. The record time has stood for nearly 50 years and is considered to be one of the most impressive feats in the history of horse racing.
Preakness Race Controversy
The Preakness Stakes has been the source of some controversy over the years. In 2019, a horse named Maximum Security was disqualified from the race after he was deemed to have interfered with other horses during the race. This was the first time in the history of the Preakness Stakes that a horse was disqualified from the race.
Conclusion
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most iconic horse races in the United States and is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. The race is held annually in Baltimore, Maryland and is typically run on the second Saturday in May. The race has been won by some of the most famous horses in history and is one of the most attended horse races in the United States. The race is one of the most prestigious events in horse racing and is sure to be an exciting event for years to come.