Preakness Weekend officially begins today. Kicking off the two-day event is the famed Friday Black-Eyed Susan Stakes—a Grade II race exclusively for fillies. But it’s arguably Saturday’s nationally renowned Preakness Stakes that remains the starring attraction. Furthermore, tomorrow’s upcoming Preakness marks a 149-year milestone as an ongoing beloved annual tradition.
In this Flashback Friday Feature, I’m taking a look back at the overall history behind the Preakness. I will delve into specifics about its established formation and how it has evolved and grown over the years to become one of today’s leading Triple Crown American thoroughbred horse racing events in the nation.
The Early Years
The first Preakness horse racing event was held in May of 1873, two years earlier than the first Kentucky Derby of such national renown. The Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, which served as the location for this new 1.5-mile stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, was still relatively young, having only opened on October 25, 1870.
The then-governor of the State of Maryland, Oden Bowie, was the one who initially decided on the name “Preakness” for the event. He did so in honor of a colt from Wayne Township, New Jersey who had previously won the Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico on opening day. That colt was Preakness Stud—a name derived from the Native American word “Pra-qua-les”, which translates to “Quail Woods.”
By 1890, the Preakness relocated to the Morris Park Racecourse in Westchester County (Bronx), New York. That year the race was won under handicap conditions and the age restraint was lifted. The winner was five-year-old Montague.
Following this race, there were no others for three years. When the Preakness resumed in 1894, it was held at Gravesend Race Track on Coney Island, New York, and continued running there for the next 15 years.
Then, in 1909, the Preakness returned to Pimlico where it now makes its permanent home. Do take note, however, that back in April of this year, it was announced that the Maryland General Assembly approved a bill to consolidate Maryland thoroughbred racing at Pimlico and provide for the reconstruction of the Pimlico facility. This points to the likelihood of the Preakness Stakes temporarily relocating to Laurel Park in 2026 and returning to Pimlico in 2027.
Since its establishment, there have been a total of seven Preakness Stakes that have been run under handicap conditions. Except for the aforementioned 1890 event, these Preakness Handicap races (as they were called) took place between 1910 and 1915.
Triple Crown Races
We know the Preakness today as the second leg in American thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown series, which also includes the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. There were even, in fact, several occasions where both the Preakness and Derby were run on the very same day.
But by 1932 the official order of Triple Crown races was established, starting with the Kentucky Derby, followed by the Preakness two weeks later, on the third Saturday in May. Then, comes the Belmont three weeks after that. Take note that the Preakness is never held before May 15 or later than May 21.
At 1+3⁄16 miles, or 9+1⁄2 furlongs (1.88 km), the Preakness Stakes is the shortest of the Triple Crown races. In comparison, the Kentucky Derby is 1+1⁄4 miles/10 furlongs and the Belmont is 1+1⁄2 miles/12 furlongs.
In most cases, the winning horse from the Derby also comes out to the Preakness. Additionally, other horses that both ran in the Derby and did not start, attend the Preakness too.
Traditions
Several Preakness traditions have emerged over the years. These include singing the official state song of “Maryland, My Maryland,” draping the winning horse with a blanket of Black-eyed Susans, and the painting of the winning team’s colors atop an Old Courthouse replica. Also, as mentioned previously, the event takes place on both a Friday and Saturday in what is known as Preakness Weekend.
The Legacy Continues
As the 149th Preakness Stakes gets underway, its popularity remains at an all-time high. In fact, except for the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness boasts the largest attendance in North America among equestrian events.
If you’ve never been to the Preakness before there’s still time to get your tickets and become a part of the lasting legacy. Visit the official website at www.preakness.com for all other information and details on this year’s event.