The Preakness Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Preakness is the second leg of the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, the first leg being the Kentucky Derby and the third leg being the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness is a Grade I Stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, run over a distance of 1 3⁄16 miles (1,900 m).
History of the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes was established in 1873 by Milton H. Sanford. The inaugural running of the Preakness Stakes was won by Survivor and the first Preakness was held at the Pimlico Race Course. Throughout its history, the Preakness has been held at various tracks, including Morris Park Racecourse in New York, Gravesend Race Track in Brooklyn, and Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.
The Preakness Stakes was named after a winning colt at Pimlico. The colt, Preakness, won a race that was held at the Pimlico Race Course in 1870. Since then, the Preakness Stakes has become one of the most prestigious races in the United States.
Horses of the Preakness Stakes 2021
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will feature a field of 14 horses. The list of horses for the 2021 Preakness Stakes include:
- Essential Quality
- Midnight Bourbon
- Concert Tour
- Keepmeinmind
- Rombauer
- Crowded Trade
- Unbridled Honor
- Risk Taking
- France Go de Ina
- Ram
- King Fury
- Mandaloun
- O Besos
- Hazit
Favorites of the Preakness Stakes 2021
The favorite for the 2021 Preakness Stakes is Essential Quality, the winner of the Kentucky Derby. Essential Quality is a bay colt bred and owned by Godolphin Racing. He is trained by Brad Cox and will be ridden by Luis Saez. The second favorite for the Preakness Stakes is Midnight Bourbon, who finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby.
Essential Quality
Essential Quality is the favorite for the 2021 Preakness Stakes. He has won three of his five starts, with two second-place finishes. Essential Quality is a bay colt bred and owned by Godolphin Racing. He is trained by Brad Cox and will be ridden by Luis Saez. Essential Quality is the winner of the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Midnight Bourbon
Midnight Bourbon is the second favorite for the 2021 Preakness Stakes. He is a bay colt bred and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. He is trained by Steve Asmussen and will be ridden by Mike Smith. Midnight Bourbon finished sixth in the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Odds of the Preakness Stakes 2021
The odds of the 2021 Preakness Stakes are as follows:
- Essential Quality: 4/5
- Midnight Bourbon: 9/2
- Concert Tour: 10/1
- Keepmeinmind: 10/1
- Rombauer: 10/1
- Crowded Trade: 12/1
- Unbridled Honor: 15/1
- Risk Taking: 15/1
- France Go de Ina: 30/1
- Ram: 30/1
- King Fury: 30/1
- Mandaloun: 30/1
- O Besos: 30/1
- Hazit: 50/1
Preakness Stakes Purse 2021
The total purse for the 2021 Preakness Stakes is $1.5 million. The winner of the Preakness Stakes will receive $900,000, with the runner-up receiving $250,000, the third-place finisher receiving $150,000, and the fourth-place finisher receiving $100,000.
TV Coverage of the Preakness Stakes 2021
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. NBC Sports Network will provide pre- and post-race coverage from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. The Preakness Stakes will also be broadcast on the NBC Sports app.
Betting on the Preakness Stakes 2021
Betting on the 2021 Preakness Stakes is available through online betting sites such as TwinSpires, BetAmerica, and TVG. In addition, betting is available at tracks across the United States.
Conclusion
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will feature a field of 14 horses, with Essential Quality and Midnight Bourbon being the favorites. The total purse for the 2021 Preakness Stakes is $1.5 million, with the winner receiving $900,000. The Preakness Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. Betting on the 2021 Preakness Stakes is available online and at tracks across the United States.