Preakness Stakes

Preakness Stakes
Grade I race

"The Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown"
"The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans"
LocationPimlico Race Course
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
InauguratedMay 27, 1873 (151 years ago)
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
Websitewww.preakness.com
Race information
Distance1+316 miles (9.5 furlongs)
Record1:53.0, Secretariat (1973) more
TrackLeft-handed
Qualification3-year-old
WeightColt/Gelding: 126 pounds (57 kg)
Filly: 121 pounds (55 kg)
PurseUS$2 million (2024)
1st: $1.2 million [1]

The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually on Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I race run over a distance of 1+316 miles (9.5 furlongs; 1.9 kilometres) on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds (57 kg); fillies 121 pounds (55 kg).[2] It is the second jewel (or leg)[3] of the Triple Crown, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.

First run in 1873, the Preakness Stakes was named by a former Maryland governor after the colt who won the first Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico. Annual "Preakness Weekend" races include both the Saturday Preakness Stakes[4] and a Grade II race on Friday for fillies only named the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.[5] Attendance at the Preakness Stakes ranks second in North America among equestrian events, surpassed only by the Kentucky Derby.

The 149th running of the Preakness Stakes was held on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference R2024 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Preakness 148 (MAY 2023). Preakness Weekend 2023 - May 19 - 20. Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215 USA.[1]
  3. ^ Terrell, Katherine - ESPN Staff Writer (19 MAY 2023). 2023 Preakness: Date, time, odds, jockeys, betting tips. ESPN.[2]
  4. ^ Schwartz, Tim, and Walker, Childs (May 19, 2023). 2023 Preakness: Here’s what to know, including post time, who’s racing, draws and odds, Preakness LIVE information and more. Baltimore Sun.[3]
  5. ^ Preakness 148 (MAY 2023). Black-Eyed Susan - May 19, Preakness Weekend 2023 - May 19 - 20. Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215 USA.[4]