Preakness Stakes | Portal

Preakness Stakes History

Though first run in 1873, the Preakness Stakes was forced to weather an unfavorable political climate for horse racing in Maryland and the abandonment of the sport at Pimlico through its first several decades. While that led to inconsistencies in its recorded history, the second jewel in the Triple Crown has been contested at “Old Hilltop” uninterrupted since 1909 and at its present distance of 1 3/16 miles since 1925.

The Preakness came into its own soon after the conclusion of World War I. Four days after breaking his maiden in the 1919 Kentucky Derby, Sir Barton romped to another victory in the Preakness, and later added the Belmont Stakes to become America’s first Triple Crown winner.

The following year, the legendary Man o’ War made his three-year-old debut in the Preakness, beating old nemesis Upset by 1 1/2 lengths. “Big Red” would end his career with 20 wins from 21 starts and is still considered by some the best Thoroughbred ever produced in this country.

The 1924 Preakness was won by Nellie Morse, a feat not replicated again by another filly until Rachel Alexandra turned in a stirring display 85 years later when she held off a late challenge from Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in 2009.

The trend of Derby winners backing up those victories in the Preakness developed in earnest in the 1930s when five pulled off the double, including the Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox, Omaha, and War Admiral. The Preakness has also long had a reputation of being the race where horses rectify their Derby disappointments, among them Hall of Fame members Challedon, Alsab, Hill Prince, Native Dancer, Nashua, Bold Ruler, and Damascus.

The 19th century trainer Wyndham Walden remains the all-time leader of his profession with seven Preakness wins, including five in succession (1878-82). However, modern greats D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert have both compiled six each, with Baffert on the verge of potentially tying Walden’s record with Justify in 2018.

As is the case with the Kentucky Derby, Calumet Farm is the all-time leading owner of Preakness winners with eight. Jockey Eddie Arcaro, co-holder of the Kentucky Derby title, stands alone among Preakness-winning riders with a total of six victories.

Like its predecessor held in Louisville, the Preakness is steeped in its own traditions. Held annually on the third Saturday in May, the Preakness has its starters parade to the singing of “Maryland, My Maryland,” the state anthem, with the winner adorned in a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans, the state flower. A replica of the Woodlawn Vase, an 1860 creation of Tiffany and Company considered unduplicatable by modern silversmiths, is presented to the winning owner and their silk colors painted on Pimlico’s infield cupola weather vane.

Its popularity often understated, the Preakness generally attracts attendance, television ratings, and race handle betting figures second only to the Kentucky Derby. Well over 100,000 annually congregate at the Baltimore course, which has been the scene of many of the turf’s most notable stars since its founding in 1870.