The Preakness Stakes and the Kentucky Derby are two of the most important horse races in the United States and are part of the prestigious Triple Crown series. Many people ask the question, “Is Preakness shorter than Derby?” The answer is yes. The Preakness Stakes is a shorter race than the Kentucky Derby, and there are a few key differences that set the two races apart.
The Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown series and is typically run on the third Saturday of May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. The race is run over a distance of nine and a half furlongs, or 1 3⁄16 miles, making it slightly shorter than the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first leg of the Triple Crown series and is typically run on the first Saturday in May, two weeks before the Preakness Stakes and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. The race is run over a distance of ten furlongs, or 1 1⁄4 miles, making it slightly longer than the Preakness Stakes.
Differences between Preakness and Derby
There are a few key differences between the Preakness and the Derby that set the two races apart. The most significant difference is the distance. The Preakness is slightly shorter than the Derby, with a distance of nine and a half furlongs compared to the Derby’s ten furlongs. Additionally, the Preakness is run on a dirt track, while the Derby is run on a turf track. As a result, the Preakness has a shorter homestretch and a tighter turn than the Derby.
History of the Races
The Preakness Stakes has been held since 1873, making it one of the oldest continuously contested stakes races in North America. The Kentucky Derby has been held since 1875, making it even older. Both races have been part of the Triple Crown series since the 1930s, with the Belmont Stakes completing the series.
Prize Money
The Preakness and the Kentucky Derby both offer substantial prize money, with the winner of each race receiving over one million dollars. The Preakness offers a total purse of $1.5 million, while the Derby offers a total purse of $2 million.
Winning Times
The winning times for the Preakness and the Derby are generally similar, though the Derby is typically slightly faster due to its longer distance. The fastest winning time for the Preakness was set in 2009 by Rachel Alexandra, who completed the race in 1:53.1, while the fastest winning time for the Derby was set in 2001 by Monarchos, who completed the race in 1:59.97.
Notable Winners
There have been many notable winners of both the Preakness and the Derby over the years. The most famous is Secretariat, who won both races in 1973 as part of his Triple Crown victory. Other notable Preakness winners include War Admiral (1938), Affirmed (1978), and American Pharoah (2015). Notable Derby winners include Citation (1948), Seattle Slew (1977), and Justify (2018).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Preakness Stakes is a shorter race than the Kentucky Derby, with a distance of nine and a half furlongs compared to the Derby’s ten furlongs. There are also a few other key differences between the two races, including the type of track, the prize money, and the winning times. Both races have had their share of notable winners, and they are both important parts of the Triple Crown series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Preakness and the Derby?
The most significant difference between the Preakness and the Derby is the distance; the Preakness is slightly shorter than the Derby, with a distance of nine and a half furlongs compared to the Derby’s ten furlongs. Additionally, the Preakness is run on a dirt track, while the Derby is run on a turf track.
When is the Preakness Stakes?
The Preakness Stakes is typically run on the third Saturday of May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.
Who are some notable winners of the Preakness and the Derby?
Notable Preakness winners include War Admiral (1938), Affirmed (1978), and American Pharoah (2015). Notable Derby winners include Citation (1948), Seattle Slew (1977), and Justify (2018).