Pimlico to Feature 16 Stakes on Preakness Weekend

Highlighted by the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds, the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Maryland Jockey Club will present 16 stakes, 10 graded, worth $3.8 million in purses over Preakness weekend, May 20-21, at historic Pimlico Race Course.

The Preakness Meet at Pimlico is scheduled to open Thursday, May 12 and run through Tuesday, May 31.

With a history that dates back to 1873, making it the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, the $1.5 million Preakness going 1 3/16 miles anchors a program of 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.75 million Saturday, May 20.

Rombauer 's victory in the 2021 El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields earned him a spot in the 146th Preakness last May, where he sprung an 11-1 upset defeating nine rivals including millionaire graded stakes winner Midnight Bourbon  and Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) first-place finisher Medina Spirit .

Leading the undercard stakes on Preakness Day is the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G2T) for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. To be run for the 121st time, the Dinner Party is Pimlico's oldest race and the eighth-oldest in the country, first run in 1870.

Other graded supporting stakes are the $200,000 Chick Lang Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs, $150,000 Gallorette Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles on the grass, $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, and $100,000 Arabian Derby (G1) for Arabian 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles.

Sophomores will also be in the Preakness Day spotlight in both the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on dirt and $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes at one mile on the grass. Rounding out the stakes are the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes, a five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up, and $100,000 Skipat Stakes for females 3-years-old and up sprinting six furlongs.

The 98th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2), one of the premiere events in the country for 3-year-old fillies and contested at 1 1/8 miles, will once again be in its traditional spot as the feature Friday, May 20, on the Preakness Eve card, which boasts six stakes, four graded, worth $1.05 million in purses.

Also on the program are the historic $300,000 Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles, $150,000 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs, and $150,000 Allaire du Pont Stakes (G3) for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles.

Two grass races round out the Black-Eyed Susan Day card—the $100,000 Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going a mile and $100,000 The Very One Stakes, a five-furlong dash for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up.