The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, making it one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. This year, the race is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 15, 2021.
Preakness Stakes History
The Preakness Stakes is the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, having been first run in 1873. It was named after the colt Preakness, who won the Dinner Party Stakes on the day the race was created. The Preakness Stakes has been held at Pimlico Race Course since 1909.
Preakness Stakes Format
The Preakness Stakes is a 1 ³⁄₁₆-mile dirt race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. It is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races, with the Kentucky Derby being 1 ¼ miles and the Belmont Stakes being 1 ½ miles.
The race is limited to 14 horses, with the top seven finishers from the Kentucky Derby and seven horses from other pre-determined races being eligible to enter.
Preakness Stakes Prize Money
The Preakness Stakes has a total purse of $1.5 million, with the winner receiving $900,000. The winning horse is also presented with the Woodlawn Vase, an ornate sterling silver trophy that is valued at more than $1 million.
Preakness Stakes Notable Winners
The Preakness Stakes has been won by some of the most famous horses in history including:
- Secretariat, who won the Triple Crown in 1973;
- Affirmed, the last horse to win the Triple Crown in 1978;
- Seattle Slew, who won the Triple Crown in 1977;
- Citation, the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 1948; and
- American Pharoah, who won the Triple Crown in 2015.
Preakness Stakes 2021 Contenders
The 2021 Preakness Stakes is expected to be a highly competitive race, with some of the top contenders being:
- Essential Quality, the winner of the Kentucky Derby;
- Medina Spirit, the runner-up in the Kentucky Derby;
- Concert Tour, the winner of the Arkansas Derby;
- Rombauer, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby;
- Midnight Bourbon, the second-place finisher in the Louisiana Derby; and
- Crowded Trade, the winner of the Wood Memorial.
Preakness Stakes 2021 Post Positions
The post positions for the 2021 Preakness Stakes will be determined on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.
Preakness Stakes 2021 Odds
The odds for the 2021 Preakness Stakes will be determined after the post positions have been announced.
Preakness Stakes 2021 TV Schedule
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will be televised live on NBC, with coverage beginning at 5:00 PM ET.
Preakness Stakes 2021 Betting
Betting on the Preakness Stakes is legal in most states. The most popular bets are win, place, and show, where bettors pick the horse they think will finish first, second, and third respectively. There are also exotic bets such as trifectas and superfectas, where bettors pick the top three and four finishers in order.
Preakness Stakes 2021 Results
The results of the 2021 Preakness Stakes will be announced shortly after the race has been completed.
Conclusion
The 2021 Preakness Stakes is sure to be an exciting race, with some of the top three-year-old Thoroughbreds in the world vying for the $1.5 million purse and the Woodlawn Vase. Be sure to tune in on Saturday, May 15, 2021 to catch all the action!