The Preakness Stakes, one of the three American Triple Crown horse races, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 21, 2022. The Preakness Stakes is held annually on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes.
Background on the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is considered the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, and has been run every year since 1873. The race is run over a distance of 1 3/16 miles (1.91km) at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The purse for the Preakness Stakes is $1.5 million, with the winner receiving $900,000.
The most successful horse in Preakness history is the legendary Secretariat, who won the race in 1973 en route to winning the Triple Crown. The fastest time for the Preakness Stakes was set by Canonero II in 1971, who ran the 1 3/16 miles in 1:53.00. The record for the most wins by a jockey is six, held by the legendary Eddie Arcaro, who won the race from 1941 to 1948.
Notable Races and Winners
The 2021 Preakness Stakes was won by Rombauer, who survived a stretch duel with Medina Spirit to take the victory. The 2020 Preakness Stakes was won by Swiss Skydiver, who became the sixth filly to win the race and the first since 2009. The 2019 Preakness Stakes was won by the Bob Baffert-trained War of Will, who survived a controversial stretch duel with the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Improbable to take the victory.
The Road to the Preakness
The Road to the Preakness is a series of races held throughout the United States that provide a path to the Preakness Stakes. The Road to the Preakness typically begins in the fall of the previous year and culminates with the Preakness Stakes in May.
Notable Races on the Road to the Preakness
- Kentucky Derby: The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown and the most prestigious race in the United States. It is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on the first Saturday in May.
- Wood Memorial Stakes: The Wood Memorial Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York, typically two weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
- Santa Anita Derby: The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, typically two weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
- Florida Derby: The Florida Derby is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, typically three weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
- Blue Grass Stakes: The Blue Grass Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, typically three weeks before the Kentucky Derby.
Preakness Stakes Prep Races
In addition to the races on the Road to the Preakness, there are several other important stakes races that are run in the weeks leading up to the Preakness. These “preps” provide an important opportunity for horses to get experience racing at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles.
Notable Preps for the Preakness
- Federico Tesio Stakes: The Federico Tesio Stakes is an American Grade III stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, typically three weeks before the Preakness Stakes.
- Illinois Derby: The Illinois Derby is an American Grade III stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Hawthorne Race Course in Cicero, Illinois, typically four weeks before the Preakness Stakes.
- Lone Star Derby: The Lone Star Derby is an American Grade III stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, typically four weeks before the Preakness Stakes.
- Peter Pan Stakes: The Peter Pan Stakes is an American Grade II stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, typically four weeks before the Preakness Stakes.
Betting on the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most popular horse races in the world, and as such attracts a lot of betting interest. Betting on the Preakness is available through both on-track betting at Pimlico Race Course and online betting through various online racebooks.
Types of Bets
- Win Bet: A win bet is a bet placed on a horse to win the race.
- Place Bet: A place bet is a bet placed on a horse to finish in either first or second place.
- Show Bet: A show bet is a bet placed on a horse to finish in either first, second, or third place.
- Exacta Bet: An exacta bet is a bet placed on two horses to finish in first and second place, in the exact order.
- Trifecta Bet: A trifecta bet is a bet placed on three horses to finish in first, second, and third place, in the exact order.
How to Watch the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes is broadcast live on television and streaming services around the world. In the United States, the Preakness is broadcast on the NBC Sports Network. The race is also available to stream on the NBC Sports website and mobile app.
Conclusion
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most prestigious and popular horse races in the world. It is held annually on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The 2022 edition of the Preakness Stakes is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 21, 2022.