The Preakness Stakes is one of the three Triple Crown races in American thoroughbred horse racing, held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It was first run in 1873, making it the second oldest Triple Crown race after the Kentucky Derby.
History
The Preakness Stakes was inaugurated in 1873, two years before the first Kentucky Derby was run.2 It was named by then-Maryland governor Oden Bowie to honor the colt Preakness, a multiple stakes winner in the 1860s. The race was initially contested over 1 mile but was increased to 1 3/16 miles in 1888.2 The current distance of 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs) has been in place since 1925.
Notable Winners
Some of the most famous winners of the Preakness Stakes include:
- Secretariat (1973) – Won the Triple Crown and set a still-standing race record of 1:53 at Pimlico.2
- Seattle Slew (1977) – The only undefeated Triple Crown winner.2
- Affirmed (1978) – The last Triple Crown winner before a 37-year drought ended by Justify in 2018.2
- American Pharoah (2015) – Ended the 37-year Triple Crown drought before being upset at the Belmont Stakes.3
- Justify (2018) – Became the 13th Triple Crown winner with his victories at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes.1
- National Treasure (2023) – Trained by Bob Baffert, who set the record with his 8th Preakness win. Tragically, another of Baffert’s horses was euthanized earlier that day due to catastrophic injuries.5
Other notable winners include War Admiral (1937), Citation (1948), Seattle Slew (1977), Afleet Alex (2005), and Rachel Alexandra (2009 – the first filly to win in 85 years).12
The Preakness Stakes is one of the three Triple Crown races in American thoroughbred horse racing, held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Here is a brief history: The Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873, making it the second oldest Triple Crown race after the Kentucky Derby.23 It was named by then-Maryland governor Oden Bowie to honor the colt Preakness, a multiple stakes winner in the 1860s.3The race was originally contested over 1 mile but was increased to 1 3/16 miles in 1888, which has been the standard distance since 1925.2 The inaugural Preakness in 1873 was won by the horse Survivor.3In its early years from 1873-1888, the Preakness was run at different distances and even at different tracks like Pimlico, Morris Park Racecourse in New York, and Gravesend Race Track in Brooklyn.4 It wasn’t until 1909 that Pimlico became the permanent home for the Preakness Stakes.4
Some of the most famous winners include Secretariat (1973) who set the still-standing race record of 1:53, Seattle Slew (1977) who was the only undefeated Triple Crown winner, and Justify (2018) who became the 13th Triple Crown champion.12The Preakness is known for its traditions like the painting of the weather vane with the colors of the winning owner, and the draping of a blanket of Black-eyed Susans over the winner.3 It is the second jewel of the Triple Crown following the Kentucky Derby.
The Preakness Stakes is a prestigious American thoroughbred horse race that is held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, sandwiched between the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. The race is typically held on the third Saturday in May, two weeks after the Kentucky Derby.
History of the Preakness Stakes
Early Years (1873-1890):
The Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873, two years before the inaugural Kentucky Derby. The race was named by former Maryland Governor Oden Bowie in honor of the colt Preakness from Milton Holbrook Sanford’s Preakness Stables in Preakness, Wayne Township, New Jersey. The first race was won by a horse named Survivor, who won by a staggering 10 lengths, a record margin that stood until 2004.
1909-1948:
The Preakness Stakes was not held from 1891 to 1893. In 1909, it was moved to Pimlico Race Course permanently. Over the years, the race has seen various changes in its distance before settling on its current length of 1 3/16 miles (9.5 furlongs) in 1925.
Triple Crown Era (1930s-present):
With the formal establishment of the Triple Crown series in the 1930s, the Preakness Stakes gained even more prominence. Legendary horses such as War Admiral (1937) and Whirlaway (1941) captured the Triple Crown, cementing the race’s status as a key event in American horse racing.
Modern Era:
The modern era of the Preakness Stakes has seen several memorable moments and notable winners. The race continues to be a critical test for any horse vying for the Triple Crown, drawing massive crowds and significant media attention each year.
Notable Winners
Man o’ War (1920):
Though he did not compete in the Kentucky Derby, Man o’ War’s victory in the 1920 Preakness Stakes is historic. Widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Man o’ War won the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, setting records in both races.
Secretariat (1973):
Secretariat, often considered the greatest racehorse in history, won the 1973 Preakness Stakes as part of his Triple Crown sweep. His performance at the Preakness was spectacular, overcoming a slow start to win decisively. His record time in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes remains unbroken.
Seattle Slew (1977):
Seattle Slew won the Preakness Stakes en route to becoming the first undefeated Triple Crown winner. His dominance in the race solidified his reputation as one of the all-time greats in horse racing history.
Affirmed (1978):
Affirmed’s victory in the 1978 Preakness Stakes was part of a fierce rivalry with Alydar, who finished second in all three Triple Crown races that year. Affirmed’s triumph in the Preakness was a pivotal moment in his Triple Crown campaign.
Rachel Alexandra (2009):
Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes, a remarkable achievement that underscored her extraordinary talent. Her victory against male counterparts was a testament to her exceptional ability and competitive spirit.
American Pharoah (2015):
American Pharoah’s win in the 2015 Preakness Stakes was a key step towards ending a 37-year Triple Crown drought. His dominant performance in all three Triple Crown races made him a modern legend in the sport.
Justify (2018):
Justify won the Preakness Stakes on his way to becoming the 13th Triple Crown winner. Despite challenging weather conditions and a muddy track, Justify showcased his tenacity and skill, further cementing his place in horse racing history.
The Preakness Stakes continues to be a crucial and celebrated event in the horse racing calendar, with each year’s race adding to the rich history and tradition of this iconic American sport.
Inaugural Race (1873): The first Preakness took place in 1873, joining the Belmont Stakes (which started in 1867) and the Kentucky Derby (held since 1875). The Preakness is the shortest of the three races, with horses running 1 3/16 miles on Baltimore’s famous dirt track.
Triple Crown Winners: Only 13 horses have claimed all three races in a calendar year. The last one to accomplish this feat was Justify in 2018.
Notable Winners:
Secretariat (1973) holds the speed record with a time of 1:53.00.
Smarty Jones (2004) won by an impressive margin of 11 1/2 lengths.
Jockey and Trainer Records:
Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952) and Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969) share the record for most wins by a jockey.
Bob Baffert (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2018) has the most wins as a trainer.
The Preakness Stakes is one of the oldest and most prestigious horse races in North America, held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the second leg of the American Triple Crown series, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes. The race has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1873, and over the years, it has seen many notable winners who have made significant impacts on horse racing.
Notable winners of the Preakness Stakes include:
2023: National Treasure, ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Bob Baffert.
2022: Early Voting, ridden by Jose Ortiz and trained by Chad Brown.
2021: Rombauer, ridden by Flavien Pratt and trained by Michael W. McCarthy.
2020: Swiss Skydiver, ridden by Robby Albarado and trained by Kenneth McPeek.
2019: War of Will, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione and trained by Mark E. Casse.
2018: Justify, ridden by Mike Smith and trained by Bob Baffert. Justify went on to become the 13th Triple Crown winner after also winning the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes.
2017: Cloud Computing, ridden by Javier Castellano and trained by Chad Brown.
2016: Exaggerator, ridden by Kent Desormeaux and trained by J. Keith Desormeaux.
2015: American Pharoah, ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by Bob Baffert. American Pharoah became the 12th Triple Crown winner after his victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
2014: California Chrome, ridden by Victor Espinoza and trained by Art Sherman. California Chrome was the favorite to win the Triple Crown but fell short in the Belmont Stakes.
2013: Oxbow, ridden by Gary Stevens and trained by D. Wayne Lukas.
2012: I’ll Have Another, ridden by Mario Gutierrez and trained by Doug O’Neill. I’ll Have Another won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes but was scratched from the Belmont Stakes due to injury concerns.
2011: Shackleford, ridden by Jesus Castanon and trained by Dale Romans.
2009: Rachel Alexandra, ridden by Calvin Borel and trained by Steve Asmussen. Rachel Alexandra became the third filly to win the Preakness Stakes and the first since 1924.
These winners represent a mix of exceptional talent, hard work, and luck, showcasing the unpredictable nature of horse racing. Each year brings new contenders, and the Preakness Stakes continues to captivate audiences with its blend of tradition and excitement.
The Preakness Stakes: A Run Through History
The Preakness Stakes, often nicknamed “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans,” is a legendary thoroughbred horse race steeped in tradition. Here’s a glimpse into its history and some remarkable winners:
Origins and Early Days (1873-1900s):
Established in 1873 at Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, it was named after Preakness, the winner of Pimlico’s first major race in 1870.
The race faced a brief relocation to New York between 1889 and 1893 before returning to Pimlico permanently in 1908.
Early winners included Survivor (1873) and Lamplighter (1888).
Triple Crown Chasers and Iconic Victories (1900s-Present):
The Preakness became the second leg of the prestigious Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and leading to the Belmont Stakes.
Notable winners who achieved Triple Crown glory include Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Man (1957), Seattle Slew (1977), Affirmed (1978), and Smarty Jones (2004).
Upsets and thrilling finishes became hallmarks of the race. In 1926, all three horses finished within a nose of each other, with Midnight Sun declared the victor in a photo finish.
War Admiral (1937) and Citation (1948) cemented their legacies with dominant Preakness victories.
Traditions and Modern Era (1900s-Present):
The Black-Eyed Susan blanket, draped over the winner, became a cherished tradition since 1940.
The painting of the weather vane atop the clubhouse with the winning jockey’s silks adds another layer of unique tradition.
The Preakness maintains its status as a major sporting event, attracting huge crowds and generating excitement for thoroughbred racing.
Looking Ahead:
The 149th running of the Preakness Stakes is set for May 18, 2024, promising another chapter in its storied history. With new contenders emerging each year, the race continues to enthrall fans and solidify its place as a jewel in the Triple Crown.