The Preakness Stakes, which is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, is one of the most prestigious races in the United States. Each year, the race takes place at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and features some of the best three-year-old horses from around the world. As with any major horse race, the selection of horses for the Preakness is an important and complicated process. In this article, we will discuss the process of how horses are chosen for the Preakness Stakes.
The Preakness Invitation
The Preakness Stakes is an invitation-only race, which means that the horses invited to compete are chosen by the Maryland Jockey Club. The invitation process begins several weeks before the race, and is based on a variety of factors, such as the horse’s performance in previous races, the horse’s owner’s connections, and the horse’s pedigree.
Eligibility Criteria
In addition to the invitation process, there are certain eligibility criteria that must be met in order for a horse to be eligible to compete in the Preakness Stakes. The horse must be a three-year-old, and must have competed in a designated prep race. The designated prep race must have been run within the previous four weeks, and the horse must have finished in the top four positions.
The Selection Process
Once the eligibility criteria have been met, the selection process begins. The selection process is overseen by the Maryland Jockey Club, and is based on the horse’s performance in past races, the horse’s age, the horse’s pedigree, and the horse’s connections.
Performance in Previous Races
The performance of the horse in previous races is an important factor in the selection process. The horse must have demonstrated the ability to perform at a high level in order to be considered for the Preakness Stakes. In addition, the horse must have competed in a designated prep race within the previous four weeks and must have finished in the top four positions.
Age
The horse must be three years old in order to be eligible to compete in the Preakness Stakes. The horse’s age is determined by its date of birth, which is recorded in the horse’s official racing record.
Pedigree
The horse’s pedigree is also taken into consideration when selecting horses for the Preakness Stakes. The horse must have a strong pedigree in order to be considered for the race. The pedigree of the horse is determined by analyzing the horse’s parents and grandparents.
Connections
The connections of the horse, such as the owner, trainer, and jockey, are also taken into consideration when selecting horses for the Preakness Stakes. These connections must be experienced and reputable in order for the horse to be considered for the race.
The Final Selection
Once the selection process is completed, the Maryland Jockey Club will make the final selection of the horses that will compete in the Preakness Stakes. The horses that are selected will be determined by a variety of factors, such as the horse’s performance in previous races, the horse’s age, the horse’s pedigree, and the horse’s connections.
The Draw
After the horses have been selected, the next step is the draw. The draw is an event in which the horses are assigned a post position in the starting gate. The post positions are randomly assigned and are based on the luck of the draw.
Preparing for the Race
Once the horses have been selected and the post positions have been assigned, the next step is to prepare for the race. The trainers and jockeys of the horses will begin to prepare for the race by working with the horses on the track, in the paddock, and in the barn.
The Race
On the day of the Preakness Stakes, the horses will be loaded into the starting gate and the race will begin. The horses will race for a period of one and three-sixteenths miles, and the winner will be declared at the finish line.
Conclusion
The selection of horses for the Preakness Stakes is an important and complicated process, and involves a variety of factors. The selection process is overseen by the Maryland Jockey Club and is based on the horse’s performance in previous races, the horse’s age, the horse’s pedigree, and the horse’s connections. Once the horses have been selected, they must then prepare for the race, which is a one and three-sixteenths mile race with the winner declared at the finish line.