Headlined by the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), middle jewel of the Triple Crown, a total of 16 stakes, eight graded, worth $4.3 million in purses will be contested May 16-17 at Pimlico Race Course.
First run in 1873, the Preakness is the second-oldest of the Triple Crown races, predating the Kentucky Derby (G1) by two years. The inaugural Belmont Stakes (G1) was held in 1867.
The $2 million Preakness, contested at 1 3/16 miles, will anchor a May 17 program of 10 stakes worth $3.25 million in purses including the $250,000 Dinner Party Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-olds and up and $150,000 Gallorette Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares 3 and older, each going 1 1/16 miles on the grass, and $150,000 Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs.
Other supporting stakes on Preakness Day are the $150,000 Chick Lang Stakes sprinting six furlongs, $100,000 Sir Barton at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, and $100,000 James Murphy going one mile on the turf, all for 3-year-olds; $125,000 Skipat Stakes for fillies and mares 3 and older at six furlongs; and $125,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint Stakes, a five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up.
Returning to the Preakness Day lineup will also be the $100,000 UAE President Cup (G1) for 3-year-old Arabian horses, run at 1 1/16 miles.
The 101st running of the $300,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles tops six stakes, three graded, worth $1.05 million in purses May 16. It is joined by the historic $250,000 Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/16 miles and $150,000 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) for sophomore fillies sprinting six furlongs.
Also on the traditional Preakness eve program are the $125,000 Allaire du Pont Distaff Stakes for fillies and mares 3 and up at 1 1/8 miles and a pair of turf stakes—the $125,000 Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going one mile and $100,000 The Very One for fillies and mares 3 and older sprinting five furlongs.
