Every year, on the third Saturday of May, one of the world’s most relevant horse racing events is held. We are talking about the Preakness Stake, a horse race that brings together the best thoroughbred horses of America to participate in one of the most exciting national competences.
Held at Pilmlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, Preakness Stake first ran in 1873. With a century and a half of history behind, the event has become a local tradition that attracts millions of enthusiasts as well as public personalities.
In addition to being a sports attraction, Preakness Stakes is also a relevant event for sports bettors who love to add some excitement to the race by placing wagers to try their luck. There is actually a full coverage on the event related to gambling, which provides reviews, insights and odds on the competence.
Even though, Preakness Stakes is a very popular event, there are still some people who don’t know what it is about. In this article, we will go through some of the history behind the event and an insight into what exactly this competence is and what to expect of the live event.
Preakness Stakes origins
The Preakness Stakes is the second most important horse race competition of the United States, after Kentuky Derby. Both races, along with Belmont Stakes form the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred horse racing.
The first race was introduced in 1873. Oden Bowie, who was at the time governor of Maryland, named the race after the colt Preakness who won the Dinner Party Stake on the day that it opened.
A few years after it started, Preakness was suspended until 1890, when it was held at Morris Park in Westchester county, New York. Later, and after a three years gap, it came back in 1894 but held in a different location. This time, it was at Brooklyn’s Gravesend track.
It was not until 1908 that the Preakness Stakes came back to Maryland and established permanently at Pimlico, marking the beginning of a tradition that includes the singing of the official state song at the opening ceremony and the presence of the Baltimore’s Colts Marching Band.
Race basics
Even though its format has evolved through time, the Preakness in its current format is a Grade I horse race, which means it is among the most competitive races in the United States, with a 9.5 furlongs (a distance of 1 3/16 miles or 1.900 metres) on dirt and a purse of 1.500.00 USD.
Three-years-old colts are entitled to enter the race, as well as geldings carrying 57 kilograms (126 pounds). Three-years-old fillies are also entitled to enterFillies (Horses that are three can enter the race, while fillies are also eligible, and can carry less weight. The current purse for the Preakness stands at $1.5 million.
Among its main speed records, the Secretariat takes first place. Also known as Big Red, the Secretariat was a Thoroughbred racehorse regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time. He won the 1973 edition of the race over 1 3/16 miles in an astonishing time of 1:53. Although, another horse called Smarty Jones, holds the record for the widest margin of victory, staggering 11 ½ lengths.
Regarding jockeys, Eddie Arcaro is undoubtedly the leading one of the PReakness history, winning the second leg of the Triple Crown on six occasions. At the same time, Calumet Farm has the record for most winners as an owner.
Furthermore, the race has a party related past that ended in 2009 with the alcohol ban, after videos of alcohol intoxicated were made public.
Since then, the race attendance dropped dramatically until 2010, when a new event, called InfieldFest was organized. InfieldFest features performances from renowned artists and offers a multi-entertainment festival, an official cocktail and amazing drinks such as Black-eyed Susan, to enjoy a world class race.
The 2022 edition of the InfieldFest offers a special event called Preakness Live Culinary, Art & Music Festival, as a part of an expanded PReakness entertainment and cultural celebration set to take place on May 20, during Black-Eyed Susan Day.
Preakness LIVE will feature performances byMs. Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion, D-Nice and Brittney Spencer, Darin Atwater & The Soulful Symphony, and more.
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