1959 Preakness Stakes

84th Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes
LocationPimlico Race Course,
Baltimore, Maryland,
United States
DateMay 16, 1959
Winning horseRoyal Orbit
JockeyWilliam Harmatz
ConditionsFast
SurfaceDirt
← 1958
1960 →

The 1959 Preakness Stakes was the 84th running of the $200,000 Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race. The race took place on May 16, 1959, and was televised in the United States on the CBS television network. Royal Orbit, who was jockeyed by William Harmatz, won the race by four lengths over runner-up Sword Dancer. Approximate post time was 5:47 p.m. Eastern Time. The race was run on a fast track in a final time of 1:57 flat[1] The Maryland Jockey Club reported total attendance of 31,506, this is recorded as second highest on the list of American thoroughbred racing top attended events for North America in 1959.[2]

  1. ^ Daily Racing Form, May 17, 1959 Preakness Stakes Chart.
  2. ^ 2010 Preakness Stakes Media Guide; page 71 (page P-7 of The Preakness section).