| The Preakness Stakes | |
 "The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown" "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" | |
| Location | Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
|---|---|
| Date | May 18, 1996 |
| Winning horse | Louis Quatorze |
| Jockey | Pat Day |
| Trainer | Nick Zito |
| Conditions | Fast |
| Surface | Dirt |
The 1996 Preakness Stakes was the 121st running of the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 18, 1996, and was televised in the United States on the ABC television network. Louis Quatorze, who was jockeyed by Pat Day, won the race by 3+1⁄4 lengths over runner-up Skip Away. Approximate post time was 5:33 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run over a fast track in a final time of 1:53-2/5.[1] The Maryland Jockey Club reported total attendance of 97,751, this is recorded as second highest on the list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 1996.[2]
The race did not include Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone, as he was retired five days after his victory, when a bone chip was discovered in his knee.[3] He was the first horse since Bubbling Over in 1926 to be retired immediately following a win in the Kentucky Derby.
- ^ Daily Racing Form, May 19, 1996 Preakness Stakes Chart.
- ^ 2010 Preakness Stakes Media Guide; page 95 (page P-7 of The Preakness section). The Maryland Jockey Club reported official Total Attendance as 97,751. This is listed as 85,122 Pimlico on-site attendance and 12,629 at Laurel on-site attendance.
- ^ "Grindstone Retired Due to Knee Injury". The Oklahoman. Associated Press. May 10, 1996. Retrieved May 19, 2019.