The Preakness Stakes is an American Grade I flat horse race that is held annually in Maryland. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing in the United States and is held on the third Saturday of May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Preakness is a 1 3/16-mile race for three-year-old thoroughbreds foaled in the United States and is the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, which is completed by the Belmont Stakes in New York.
History of the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes has been held since 1873, making it one of the longest running sporting events in the United States. The race is named after Preakness, the colt owned by Milton H. Sanford, who won the inaugural event. It is the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, following the Kentucky Derby, which was first run in 1875.
The Preakness has been held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland every year since 1909. Before that, it was held at various tracks in New York, Maryland, and New Jersey. The purse for the Preakness is currently $1.5 million, making it the second richest race in North America after the Kentucky Derby.
Notable Preakness Contenders
The Preakness has featured some of the greatest horses in history. Some of the most memorable Preakness contenders include:
- Secretariat: The 1973 winner of the Triple Crown and one of the most famous thoroughbreds of all time.
- Affirmed: The 1978 Triple Crown winner and one of the last Triple Crown champions.
- Seattle Slew: The 1977 Triple Crown winner who was the first horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated.
- Citation: The 1948 Triple Crown winner who remains the only horse to have won 16 consecutive races.
- Man o’ War: The 1920 Preakness runner-up who is considered one of the greatest horses of all time.
Recent Preakness Winners
2020: Swiss Skydiver
The 2020 Preakness Stakes was won by Swiss Skydiver, a three-year-old filly who became the sixth female to win the race. Swiss Skydiver was trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Robby Albarado. She was the first filly to win the race since Rachel Alexandra in 2009.
2019: War of Will
The 2019 Preakness Stakes was won by War of Will, who was trained by Mark Casse and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. War of Will was the first horse to win the Preakness after running in the Kentucky Derby since Smarty Jones in 2004.
2018: Justify
The 2018 Preakness Stakes was won by Justify, who was trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Mike Smith. Justify was the thirteenth Triple Crown winner in history and the first since American Pharoah in 2015.
What Channel Is the Preakness On?
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC on Saturday, May 15 at 6:45 PM EST. The race will also be streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
Future of the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes has been held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland since 1909, but the future of the race is uncertain. The Pimlico track has been in need of major renovations for years, and the Maryland Jockey Club has proposed moving the race to Laurel Park Racetrack in Anne Arundel County. It remains to be seen if the Preakness will remain in Baltimore or be moved to Laurel Park.
Preakness Stakes 2021
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race will feature a full field of three-year-old thoroughbreds vying for the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Preakness Stakes Odds
The odds for the 2021 Preakness Stakes are not yet available, but they are expected to be released closer to the race day. The odds will be available for betting at most major online sportsbooks, including Bovada and BetOnline.
Preakness Stakes 2021 Contenders
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will feature a full field of three-year-old thoroughbreds vying for the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Some of the top contenders include Essential Quality, Rock Your World, and Hot Rod Charlie.
Conclusion
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will take place on Saturday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland and will be broadcast live on NBC. The race will feature a full field of three-year-old thoroughbreds vying for the second jewel of the Triple Crown, with Essential Quality, Rock Your World, and Hot Rod Charlie among the top contenders. The odds for the race are expected to be released closer to race day and will be available for betting at most major online sportsbooks.