What is the Preakness Stakes?
The Preakness Stakes is a famous horse race that takes place in the United States every year. Held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, the Preakness is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, preceded by the Kentucky Derby and followed by the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness has been run since 1873, making it one of the oldest sporting events in the United States.
History of the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873, and has been held every year since. The race was originally named for a horse named Preakness, which won the first race. The Preakness Stakes was first held at Pimlico Race Course, and has remained there ever since.
The Preakness has been held at a variety of distances, from a mile and a half to the current distance of nine furlongs or 1 3/16 miles. The Preakness has been run at the same distance since 1925.
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is a series of three races for three-year-old horses, held in the United States every year. The Triple Crown consists of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. A horse that wins all three races is said to have won the Triple Crown.
The Triple Crown was first conceived in the late 19th century, but the races were not run in the same order until 1932. Since then, the Triple Crown races have been held in their current order, with the Kentucky Derby first, followed by the Preakness Stakes, and then the Belmont Stakes.
How Many Horses Race in the Preakness?
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. The field for the race typically consists of 14 horses, with the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby, the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and the remaining spots filled in with other horses.
Preakness Field Size
The size of the field for the Preakness Stakes is limited to 14 horses. This is done in order to protect the safety of the horses and riders, as well as to ensure a fair and competitive race.
Preakness Field Breakdown
The field for the Preakness Stakes typically consists of the following:
- The Top Three Finishers from the Kentucky Derby – These horses are guaranteed a spot in the Preakness Stakes field.
- The Winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes – The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is a Grade II stakes race for three-year-old fillies, held the day before the Preakness Stakes. The winner of this race is guaranteed a spot in the Preakness field.
- Remaining Horses – The remaining spots in the field are filled in with horses chosen by the racing secretary, based on their performance in other races. Horses with the highest earnings and best recent performance are typically chosen.
Preakness Racing Conditions
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race, meaning that it is the highest level of Thoroughbred horse racing. The race is run on a dirt track at Pimlico Race Course, and the field is limited to 14 horses. The race is run at a distance of nine furlongs, or 1 3/16 miles.
Purse and Prize Money
The Preakness Stakes offers a purse of $1.5 million, with $900,000 going to the winner. The second-place finisher receives $300,000, while the third-place finisher receives $150,000. The remaining horses receive a portion of the purse, with the last-place finisher receiving $15,000.
Notable Preakness Winners
The Preakness Stakes has been won by some of the greatest horses in racing history, including Secretariat, Man o’ War, Affirmed, and War Admiral.
In recent years, the Preakness Stakes has been won by horses such as American Pharoah, California Chrome, Justify, and Big Brown.
Conclusion
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held every year at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is the second leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, preceded by the Kentucky Derby and followed by the Belmont Stakes. The field for the Preakness Stakes typically consists of 14 horses, with the top three finishers from the Kentucky Derby, the winner of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and the remaining spots filled in with other horses. The race offers a purse of $1.5 million, with the winner receiving $900,000. The Preakness Stakes has been won by some of the greatest horses in racing history, including Secretariat, Man o’ War, Affirmed, and War Admiral.