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Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for June 9, 2025
Jason looks back on the 2025 Triple Crown series and those horses going forward.
Racing
LIVE Belmont Stakes 2025 expert picks, results, horse racing news, Belmont Stakes horses, & odds
Join us LIVE for a packed day of horse racing news for Belmont Stakes 2025 with odds, expert picks, results, and more.
Analysis
LIVE
Horse Racing This Weekend: Key Races, Top Horses & Best Bets [June 7-June 8]Find out everything you need to know about key races, top horse, and best bets with TwinSpires horse racing this weekend.
Analysis
LIVE Friday Belmont Stakes Festival expert picks, odds, horses, news, and handicapping analysis
Follow along with us throughout today's stakes races for expert picks, odds, horse racing news, results, and more.
Analysis
2025 Belmont Stakes: Journalism pegged at 8-5, Sovereignty 2-1 on morning line
Post positions and morning-line odds for the 2025 Belmont Stakes
Racing
2025 Preakness Reflections: Journalism Earns Well-Deserved Classic Victory
The 150th edition of the Preakness S. (G1) provided us with an expected result with Journalism living up to his even-money status as the heavily backed favorite.
Analysis
Racing Roundtable: Journalism and Preakness Day
On this week's Racing Roundtable, guest host Nick Tammaro joins James Scully and Vance Hanson to discuss all thinks Preakness (G1).
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast May 19, 2025
Jason looks back at the wild Preakness won by Journalism and talks about the race, the rides, and much more!
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes winner: Journalism (even-money) wins the 150th Preakness
Twenty years after Afleet Alex recovered from near-disaster to win the Preakness (G1), even-money favorite Journalism escaped from perilously tight quarters in Saturday’s renewal at Pimlico.
Racing
LIVE 2025 Preakness Stakes odds, picks, handicapping analysis, best bets, and more horse racing news this weekend
Preakness Day has arrived! Stay-tuned with us all day for LIVE odds for Preakness, expert picks, Preakness Past Performances brought to you by Brisnet, and horse racing news, with in-depth handicapping and analysis from our panel of experts.
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes odds, predictions, contenders, horses
Quickly glance at why you should or shouldn't bet each horse in the 2025 Preakness Stakes.
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes: Weather forecast, chance of rain for the day of the race
What will the weather be like at Pimlico Park today? Will there be rain?
Preakness Stakes
Pimlico: Analyzing Preakness Day mandatory-payout carryovers
A couple of five-figure jackpot carryovers will be dispersed in mandatory fashion on Preakness Day at Pimlico.
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes Picks: Predictions and Odds for All Horses Before 150th Race
2025 Preakness Stakes Picks: Predictions and Odds for All Horses Before 150th Race
Preakness Stakes
Scully: Pick 3 play on Preakness Day
Nine are set for the 150th running of the $2 million Preakness (G1), and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Journalism has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite.
Preakness Stakes
2025 Preakness Stakes horses: trainers, jockeys, owners competing in the race
Who are the horse trainers, owners and jockeys in Preakness Stakes 150?
Preakness Stakes
2025 Preakness Stakes odds, betting strategy, cheat sheet
A Speedy Favorite to Bet in the Preakness, A Lucrative Longshot to bet for the Preakness, and Pace of the Race with how the Preakness Stakes will be run.
Racing
Spot Plays for 2025 Preakness Day undercard
If the weather and field sizes hold, it would be no surprise to see around $100 million handled at Pimlico on Saturday. Here are a trio of runners on the undercard I'll be taking a look at.
Racing
Betting the 2025 Preakness Stakes on Different Budgets
The second leg of the Triple Crown series has attracted nine three-year-olds to run 1 3/16 miles at Pimlico on Saturday
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes purse: How much prize money the winning owner and trainer will earn
Have you ever wondered how much prize money the winning Preakness owner and trainer receive? We have the answers.
Racing
2025 Preakness Brisnet Speed Rating report
Let’s preview the two most recent Speed ratings for the rest of the 2025 field, ranked by the top last-out number.
Preakness Stakes
Best way for beginners to bet $10 on the 2025 Preakness Stakes
Saturday’s 150th running of the $2 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico is a perfect opportunity for beginning bettors to test the waters with a $10 horse racing bet.
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes Free Betting Guide
This ultimate Preakness Betting Guide makes it easy to place those best bets and build that bankroll. Discover our FREE betting guide today!
Racing
Analyzing the running styles of 2025 Preakness contenders
How fast a pace will we see in Saturday’s 150th running of the $2 million Preakness (G1)? Perhaps analyzing the field will reveal the answer.
Racing
Preakness Stakes pedigree profile: Heart of Honor
After falling a nose shy of victory in the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai, Heart of Honor passed on a start in the Kentucky Derby (G1) to await the Preakness (G1).
Racing
Preakness Stakes pedigree profile: Pay Billy
Back-to-back triumphs in the 1 1/16-mile Private Terms S. and 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio S. have stamped Pay Billy as a contender for the 2025 Preakness (G1).
Racing
2025 Black-Eyed Susan & Friday Racing odds, predictions, contenders, horses
Find multiple expert picks and plays for the full day of Friday racing and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico Park.
Preakness Stakes
Everything to know about the 2025 Preakness post positions
Nine horses are entered to race in Saturday’s $2 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico. Post positions for the second leg of the Triple Crown were drawn on Monday evening.
Racing
Preakness Stakes International Scouting Report: Heart of Honor
Heart of Honor, the near-misser in the UAE Derby (G2), is luring Jamie Osborne into a rare stateside raid for the Preakness (G1) and potentially the June 7 Belmont (G1).
Racing
Preakness Stakes pedigree profile: Clever Again
It was striking to see Clever Again show talent on dirt with a blowout triumph over Grade 1 winner Gaming in the one-mile Hot Springs S.
Racing
Scully: Pick 4 play for Pimlico Friday
The $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) for three-year-old fillies tops six stakes at Pimlico Friday and serves as the anchor for an All-Stakes Pick 4 sequence that begins in Race 10.
Preakness Stakes
2025 Preakness Stakes date, time & where to watch it: TV schedule, post time, live stream
On this page, quickly check the best dates, times, and channels or streaming services for watching the Preakness Stakes.
Racing
2025 Triple Crown Schedule: Key Dates, TV Schedule & Live Stream
Explore the 2025 Triple Crown schedule with key race dates, TV coverage and live stream options for the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
Racing
How long are the three Triple Crown races?
The three races which make up the U.S. Triple Crown of Thoroughbred horse racing—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness S., and Belmont S.—each provide a test over a different distance at a different venue.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for May 15, 2025
Jason discusses this year's Preakness (G1) and gives his picks.
Racing
Preakness Stakes 2025: Meet the jockeys and trainers
Nine jockeys and nine trainers are partnering to race nine horses in Saturday’s $2 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.
Racing
2025 Preakness Stakes: Odds, News, and Notes
Find out everything you need to know with our 2025 Preakness Stakes odds, news, and notes! And don't forget to tune in to our LIVE coverage on Preakness day, where you can find up-to-date horse racing news, LIVE odds, expert picks, and more.
Racing
The best longshot to bet in the 2025 Preakness Stakes
Who among Saturday's group has a chance of being in the same position, hoping to topple heavy favorite Journalism?
Preakness Stakes
Tipsheet: 2025 Preakness Stakes
An excellent field of nine sophomores will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Pimlico dirt in Saturday’s historic $2 million Preakness S. (G1).
Racing
Preakness Stakes pedigree profile: Goal Oriented
Back-to-back maiden and allowance optional claiming wins have thrust Goal Oriented into the picture as a 2025 Preakness (G1) contender.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Peter Pan, early Preakness thoughts, and more!
The Racing Roundtable of James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson recap last Saturday's Belmont (G1) prep race, the Peter Pan (G2), plus other performances that caught their eye, and provide early thoughts on the 150th running of Saturday's $2 million Preakness (G1).
Racing
Journalism installed as 8-5 favorite in 2025 Preakness Stakes
Journalism tops a nine-horse field entered in Saturday's 150th Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem for May 8, 2025
Jason discusses the recently concluded season at Tampa Bay Downs.
Racing
Jason Beem Horse Racing Podcast May 7, 2025
Jason opens the show discussing Sovereignty not going to the Preakness. Then we welcome in the voice of the Preakness, Dave Rodman, to talk about the middle leg of the Triple Crown, Smarty Jones, calling races at Pimlico, and much more!
Racing
Race for the Crown episode 5 recap: The Preakness
The Preakness—the middle jewel of the Triple Crown—takes center stage in episode 5 of Race for the Crown. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan enters the second leg of the series with history on the line. A win at Pimlico would put him just one race away from becoming the 14th horse to sweep the Triple Crown.
Racing
Race for the Crown Premiers on Netflix: Follow Along with TwinSpires
Race for the Crown premieres on Netflix April 22. The six-part docuseries follows jockeys, trainers, and owners through the 2024 Triple Crown season, beginning with the previous season’s Breeders’ Cup.
Racing
10 interesting facts about American Pharoah, the legendary horse and Triple Crown winner
American Pharoah was the 12th Triple Crown winner, having broken a 37-year drought to win the famed trio of races in 2015.
Racing
10 interesting facts about Justify, the legendary horse and Triple Crown winner
Justify is the 13th and most recent Triple Crown winner, having achieved his milestone in 2018 in remarkable circumstances. Below are 10 interesting facts about Justify.
Racing
Netflix offers exclusive behind-the-scenes perspective on journey to the Triple Crown
"Race for the Crown," a new six-part Netflix series premiering April 22, 2025, promises an immersive look into the high-stakes world of Thoroughbred horse racing.
Racing
Michael Iavarone explains his winning Pick-5 ticket structure
Michael Iavarone had the sole winning ticket of Tampa Bay Downs’ late Pick 5 worth $435,029.40 on Feb. 8, 2020 when placing his bet at TwinSpires.com.
Racing
Official Triple Crown Nominations List 2025: Who will we see in the Kentucky Derby?
Who will we see in the Kentucky Derby? This early Triple Crown nominations list holds many of their names.
Kentucky Derby
Racing Roundtable: D. Wayne Lukas' 7th Preakness win, Pimlico stakes action, and more
This week, the Racing Roundtable discusses D. Wayne Lukas' seventh Preakness (G1) win with Seize the Grey, other notable stakes results at Pimlico, and what else caught their eye over the weekend.
Racing
Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem May 20, 2024
Jason looks back at this weekend's Preakness S. (G1) and Seize the Grey's connections scoring a big win.
Racing
Who is Preakness-winning jockey Jaime Torres?
“Can you guys imagine when you are watching a movie and you have this horse, like it's the main character in the movie and you see the last race and he wins and you feel that emotion..."
Racing
2024 Preakness: Seize the Grey gives Lukas another classic
Forty-four years after winning the Preakness (G1) for the first time with Codex, trainer D. Wayne Lukas added to his own legend and rewrote the history books when Seize the Grey led gate-to-wire to capture the $2 million middle jewel of the Triple Crown over a muddy Pimlico strip on Saturday.
Racing
2024 Preakness Stakes Picks: Predictions and Odds for All Horses Before 149th Race
Predictions for what horse will win the 2024 Preakness Stakes, plus historical trends and commentary on what horses have won in the past.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes odds, predictions, contenders, horses
Predictions for horses running in the Preakness Stakes, plus a deep dive into run styles.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes odds, betting strategy, cheat sheet
What is the best betting strategy for Preakness Stakes 149? Experts provide their picks and analysis for wagers.
Preakness Stakes
2024 Preakness Stakes Coverage; Breaking News, Odds, Analysis, Expert Picks | May 18, 2024
TwinSpires will be here LIVE starting at 10:30 AM EST giving you the latest race entries, replays, odds, and more for the second leg of the Triple Crown!
Racing
2024 Preakness Stakes horses: trainers, jockeys, owners competing in the race
What trainers and jockeys are in the 2024 Preakness Stakes? Plus two prominent jockeys to watch.
Preakness Stakes
Why I’m betting Tuscan Gold to win the Preakness Stakes
The 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico is packed with accomplished horses. So why am I betting on #8 Tuscan Gold, one of only two horses in the field who has yet to win a stakes?
Racing
Preakness Stakes: Weather forecast, chance of rain for the day of the race
National Weather Service Detailed Forecast for the Baltimore area during the Preakness Stakes.
Preakness Stakes
Hanson: Spot Plays for Newbury, Pimlico May 18
It'll be a long and exciting day of racing around the world on Saturday, as my attention will be focused on the action at Newbury in England in the morning and the Preakness Day program at Pimlico the remainder of the day.
Racing
Meet the jockeys and trainers of Preakness 149
Following the scratch of Muth, eight horses are slated to contest the 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico. Seven trainers and eight jockeys will help those horses run to their full potential in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Racing
Betting the 2024 Preakness on different budgets
A seemingly wide-open field has assembled for the 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico. A solid case can be made for many of the entrants to win the 1 3/16-mile race.
Racing
Top 5 storylines for 2024 Preakness Stakes
The scratch of morning line favorite Muth dominated the headlines on Wednesday of Preakness Week. Moreover, it removed a pivotal talking point: would Muth confirm the form of his Arkansas Derby (G1) victory over next-out Kentucky Derby (G1) hero Mystik Dan?
Racing
2024 Preakness Stakes Latest News and Notes
The 149th running of the Preakness S. is quickly upon us. Our Preakness News and Notes offers all our coverage in one place to act as the ultimate guide to aid in your betting experience.
Racing
The FREE Preakness Stakes 149 Betting Guide
Download the best Preakness Stakes betting guide available; expert picks, rich analysis and official odds
Racing
2024 Preakness Stakes: Meet the Contenders
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Preakness S at Pimlico. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential.
Racing
Racing Roundtable: Peter Pan Stakes, Preakness date debate, and more
This week, the Racing Roundtable debates the chances of Peter Pan (G3) winner Antiquarian in the Belmont (G1) and whether the Preakness (G1) should finally change dates. Then the panel closes out with a discussion of the performances that caught their eye over the weekend.
Racing
2024 Brisnet Preakness Speed Rating Report and Run Style Analysis
Nine three-year-olds are set for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, Saturday’s 149th running of the $2 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico, and we will preview Brisnet Speed ratings and run styles
Racing
Tipsheet: 2024 Preakness Stakes
An excellent field of eight three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles on the Pimlico dirt in the second leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, the $2 million Preakness S. (G1).
Racing
Preakness: How do Derby alumni vs. new shooters compare?
For many years, the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico was dominated by horses exiting the Kentucky Derby (G1) two weeks prior. But trends are shifting, and now “new shooters” who did not compete in the Derby are winning the Preakness with regularity.
Racing
Everything to know about the 2024 Preakness post positions
Post positions for the 2024 Preakness (G1) at Pimlico were drawn on Monday, with a nine-horse field slated to contest the second leg of the Triple Crown.
Racing
2024 Preakness Stakes: Muth installed as 8-5 favorite
The post positions have been drawn for Saturday's 149th running of the Preakness (G1).
Racing
Thursday Thoughts with Jason Beem May 9, 2024
Jason shares some thoughts on racing and the Preakness (G1) in this week's Thursday Thoughts.
Racing
2024 Triple Crown odds: how favorites and field size impact each race
Like most U.S. betting outlets, you won’t find any single bets available on a horse to win the 2024 Triple Crown with TwinSpires. But you can bet on each individual race.
Racing
Hanson: England gets its Triple Crown right, why can't we?
The drumbeats and clamoring for changes in spacing between the three Triple Crown events has gotten noticeably louder in recent weeks, the result of a disturbing trend this year in which there was little continuity in field composition.
Triple Crown
Historical trends against National Treasure winning second classic in Belmont
The expected field for the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 10 will include the winner of the Preakness (G1), but not the Kentucky Derby winner (G1) who ran in and lost the Preakness. This will be only the eighth such occurrence in the Belmont since 1953.
Belmont Stakes
Stats and storylines for 2023 Belmont Stakes
The 155th running of the $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) on June 10 will wrap up the Triple Crown. Known as the “Test of the Champion,” the Belmont is the oldest and longest race in the Triple Crown series.
Belmont Stakes
Racing Roundtable: 2023 Preakness edition
James Scully, Kellie Reilly, and Vance Hanson reconvene to discuss 2023 Preakness weekend in this week's Racing Roundtable.
Racing
Four takeaways from 2023 Preakness Stakes
For the fourth straight year, the Preakness (G1) winner did not run in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Preakness Stakes
2023 Preakness Stakes winner: National Treasure (5-2) wins the 148th Preakness
A slow pace in a small field helped National Treasure spring a gate-to-wire upset in the 148th Preakness S. (G1) at Pimlico.
Preakness Stakes
Tipsheet: 2023 Preakness Stakes
A total of eight three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles over the Pimlico dirt in Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness S. (G1).
Preakness Stakes
Hanson: 2023 Preakness Day Spot Plays
As was the case for our Friday spot plays at Pimlico, we're leaning heavily on grass races for our action bets on Saturday's Preakness card. The 13-race Thoroughbred portion of the program begins at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Racing
Post position success in the Preakness
Below we look at which gates have produced the most winners and examine which horses in the 2023 edition of the Preakness are most likely to succeed based on recent history at Pimlico.
Preakness Stakes
How Kentucky Derby Winners Have Fared in Preakness Stakes
The 13 Triple Crown winners captured both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) en route to the Belmont (G1), but that just scratches the surface of the impact of the Run for the Roses on the middle jewel.
Preakness Stakes
Scully: Late Pick 4 play on Preakness Day
The 148th running of the $1.5 million Preakness anchors a guaranteed $2 million Late Pick 4 at Pimlico, and I will take a swing at the sequence.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness: The best longshot to bet is Perform
If you’re a longshot player hoping to catch an upset in the second leg of the Triple Crown, there’s a viable option to pursue.
Racing
Preakness: Which new shooters can beat Mage?
If Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage is going to add Saturday’s $1.25 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico to his roster of victories, he’ll have to defeat seven new shooters who skipped the Derby.
Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes Picks, Predictions and Odds for All Horses
Can Mage win the Preakness Stakes? Expert picks, predictions and Preakness Stakes odds ahead of the race for all horses
Preakness Stakes
2023 Preakness Stakes horses: trainers, jockeys, owners in the race
In the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby on May 6, 2023, Mage defeated a field of 18 horses and has returned to face a field of 7 horses in the Preakness Stakes.
Preakness Stakes
The Jury: Bets and fades for May 20
Preakness Day at Pimlico is the focal point on Saturday, and James Scully, Vance Hanson, and Ashley Anderson oblige with their top plays there (and elsewhere) on a big afternoon of action.
Wagering
Betting the 2023 Preakness on different budgets
Handicapping Saturday’s $1.5 million Preakness (G1) at Pimlico should be considerably easier than handicapping the recently contested Kentucky Derby (G1).
Preakness Stakes
Six storylines for 2023 Preakness Stakes
The annual ritual of analyzing Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni versus new shooters in the Preakness (G1) has taken on a disproportionate twist in Saturday’s 148th running at Pimlico. Derby winner Mage is the only one advancing from the first Saturday in May to the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
Racing
Scully: All-Stakes Pick 5 play at Pimlico Friday
Pimlico will offer six Pick 5s on Friday, including a special two-day wager, and the $300,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2) for three-year-old fillies anchors an all-stakes Pick 5 sequence that begins in Race 9.
Wagering
Spot plays and Pick 3 for Preakness Stakes card May 20
Below we provide spot plays and a Pick 3 ticket for three of the stakes races preceding the Preakness, including the Skipat S., Jim McKay Turf Sprint S., and Maryland Sprint S. (G3).
Wagering
Preakness Stakes
2025 Preakness Stakes: Latest News, Notes, Videos, History & Key Facts
- Location: Pimlico Race Course
- Inaugural Race: 1873
- Current Distance: 1 & 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs)
- Track Type: Left-Handed Dirt
- Age Qualification: Three-year-olds
- 2025 Purse: $2 million
- 2025Race Date: May 17th
Preakness Probables, Previews & More
The Preakness is traditionally the second jewel among the Triple Crown of horse racing, taking place in mid May following the Kentucky Derby. Find useful links and contender profiles for the Preakness Stakes below:
- Preakness Stakes Odds
- Preakness Stakes Betting Guide
- Preakness Stakes Contenders
- Preakness Stakes Trivia
Preakness Stakes Weather Forecast
Preakness Stakes Entries, Odds & Results
| PROGRAM NUMBER | HORSE | JOCKEY / TRAINER | ODDS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Goal Oriented | Flavien Prat / Bob Baffert | 6-1 |
| 2 | Journalism | Umberto Rispoli/ Michael McCarthy | 8-5 |
| 3 | American Promise | Nik Juarez / D. Wayne Lukas | 15-1 |
| 4 | Heart Of Honor | Saffie Osborne / Jamie Osborne | 12-1 |
| 5 | Pay Billy | Raul Mena / Michael Gorham | 20-1 |
| 6 | River Thames | Irad Ortiz, Jr. / Todd Pletcher | 9-2 |
| 7 | Sandman | John Velazquez / Mark Casse | 4-1 |
| 8 | Clever Again | Jose Ortiz / Steve Asmussen | 5-1 |
| 9 | Gosger | Luis Saez / Brendan Walsh | 20-1 |
Preakness Stakes Video Replays
Watch Past Preakness Stakes Races
Video of the 2020 Preakness Stakes
Watch as Swiss Skydiver becomes just the sixth filly in history to capture the Preakness Stakes, and the first since Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra won it all back in 2009.
Video of the 2019 Preakness Stakes
Watch as Swiss Skydiver becomes just the sixth filly in history to capture the Preakness Stakes, and the first since Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra won it all back in 2009.
Video of the 2018 Preakness Stakes
Watch as Justify prevails over Good Magic following a wire-to-wire battle to capture the 2nd leg of the 2018 Triple Crown at Pimilico Race Course in Maryland.
Video of the 2017 Preakness Stakes
Watch the 2017 Preakness Stakes, as Kentucky Derby champion Always Dreaming battled with Classic Empire for the majority of the race, before Cloud Computing pulled ahead for an upset win.
Video of the 2016 Preakness Stakes
Check out footage of the 2016 Preakness Stakes, as jockey Kent Desormeaux notches sought revenge with Exaggerator, finally getting the wet track he loved!
The Preakness Stakes – Race Records
Find notable historical records for the Preakness Stakes below:
Fastest Time
1.53.00
Secretariat- 1973
Most Wins by a Jockey
6
Eddie Arcaro (1941, 1948, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1957)
Most Wins by a Trainer
7
R. Wyndham Walden (1875, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1888)
Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018)
Most Wins by an Owner
7
Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1947, 1948, 1956, 1958, 1968, 2013)
Biggest Winning Margin
11 1/2 lengths
Smarty Jones (2004)
A Brief History of the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes, also known as the second leg of the Triple Crown, is one of the most important and attended horse race in the sport’s history. Run every year on the third Saturday in May, the historic race is regularly the second most heavily attended race of year, typically only trailing the Kentucky Derby. In fact, 2016 was a record setting year for the Preakness Stakes, with 135,256 people came to the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore to watch the pulse-pounding race.
The first running of the Preakness Stakes took place all the way back in 1873. Oden Bowie, the former governor of Maryland, named the race after the colt Preakness, who as a major underdog won the Dinner Party Stakes on the day Pimlico opened its doors in 1870. In it's infancy, the race struggled to succeed and moved multiple times in the early years. In 1890 the race moved to Morris Race Course in the Bronx, New York. It failed to run for the following three years. The next race was held in 1894 at Gravesend Race Track on Coney Island, where it ran for a total of fifteen years. In 1909, the Preakness was brought home to Pimlico and it has been run here ever since.Originally run at 1 ½ miles, the race has been run at several different lengths before being set at 1 3/16th miles, where it has stayed since 1925.
Winners of the Preakness Stakes are honored by having their silks painted on the jockey and horse weather vane atop a replica of the Old Clubhouse cupola. Winning jockeys are presented with the famed Woodlawn Vase, and take home a half-sized replica for themselves (the original trophy is stored at the Baltimore Museum of Art). The winning horses are draped in a blanket of replica black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland. The race is forced to use replicas because the race is run a full two months before the flower blooms naturally. Ironically, actual black-eyed Susans have never been used in the race fondly known as “The Run for the Black Eyed Susans"
Notable entries in the Preakness Stakes include past Triple Crown winners like American Pharoah, Secretariat and Affirmed as well as horses like California Chrome, Smarty Jones and Real Quiet. You can bet on the Preakness Stakes legally at TwinSpires.
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