Print

The Preakness Stakes

Following the Kentucky Derby, the annual Preakness Stakes is run the third Saturday in May at Baltimore's Pimlico race course with a weeklong celebration leading up to the running.

Preakness Celebration has become a tradition for people of all ages since its inception in 1988. Also known as The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans, this series of special events celebrates the annual running of the Preakness Stakes, Baltimore's "Super Bowl" and the 2nd jewel in thoroughbred racing's prestigious Triple Crown.

Each year, Preakness Celebration brings a new spirit to the slate of events including the picturesque Hot Air Balloon Festival, the spiritied Preakness Parade, the 5K Run, the popular Miller Lite Nites concert series, the Pee Wee Preakness and lots of other activities for children.

Part of a long heritage of racing in Maryland, the first Preakness Stakes was run in 1873 at Pimlico race course, where it is still held today. The track is also the site of the fabled match race in which Seabiscuit triumphed over War Admiral in 1938. The thoroughbread race is an American Grade I stakes race which is run over 1-3/16 mile on the dirt track.

The Preakness is termed "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans," because a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland, is draped over the winning horse.

Past Preakness winners include Rachel Alexandra (the first filly to win since 1924), Big Brown, Smarty Jones, Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Secretariat and War Admiral.

138th Running of the Preakness Stakes

May 18, 2013
Learn more by visiting www.preakness.com.