The Preakness Stakes, also known as the Preakness, is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. It is the second jewel of the Triple Crown of horse racing, which consists of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown and is held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is held each year on the third Saturday in May.
History of the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is one of the oldest major horse races in the United States and has been contested since 1873. It was named after the winning horse of the first race, Preakness, who was owned by the winner of the inaugural race, Milton H. Sanford. The race was first run at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, and has been held annually since then.
How Many Horses Run in the Preakness?
The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Traditionally, the race is limited to a maximum of 14 horses, but the number of horses in the field can be reduced due to scratches or withdrawals. In 2019, the Preakness Stakes had 13 horses in the field.
Who Can Enter the Preakness?
The Preakness Stakes is open to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. The horse must be nominated to the race by April 8th in order to be eligible to race. Horses that have been nominated to the race must pay an entry fee of $15,000 in order to be included in the field.
What is the Purse for the Preakness?
The purse for the Preakness Stakes is $1.5 million. The winner of the Preakness Stakes receives $900,000, with the remaining $600,000 divided among the other finishers. The purse has increased significantly over the years and is now one of the richest purses in horse racing.
What is the Distance of the Preakness?
The Preakness Stakes is a 1 3/16-mile race. This distance is slightly shorter than the Kentucky Derby, which is 1 1/4 miles. The Preakness is also run on a dirt track, unlike the Kentucky Derby, which is run on a synthetic surface.
What is the Purse Distribution for the Preakness?
The purse distribution for the Preakness Stakes is as follows:
- First place: $900,000
- Second place: $300,000
- Third place: $180,000
- Fourth place: $90,000
- Fifth place: $45,000
How Many Horses are Running in the Preakness Today?
The 2021 Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The field is limited to a maximum of fourteen horses and the post time is 6:47 PM EST. As of this writing, there are ten horses running in the Preakness today:
- Essential Quality
- Crowded Trade
- Keepmeinmind
- Rombauer
- Midnight Bourbon
- France Go de Ina
- Unbridled Honor
- Risk Taking
- Concert Tour
- Ram
Will the Preakness Winner Receive an Automatic Entry into the Belmont Stakes?
The winner of the Preakness Stakes receives an automatic entry into the Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. The Belmont Stakes is a 1 ½-mile race and is usually held three weeks after the Preakness. The Belmont Stakes purse is $1.5 million, the same as the Preakness.
What is the Preakness Stakes Trophy?
The Preakness Stakes trophy is a sterling silver Woodlawn Vase. It stands 18 inches tall and has a base of 11 inches in diameter. The vase was crafted by Tiffany & Co. and was originally commissioned in 1860. The trophy is currently valued at over $4 million and is awarded to the winner of the Preakness Stakes.
What is the Record for Most Wins in the Preakness Stakes?
The record for most wins in the Preakness Stakes is held by the legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro, who won the race five times between 1941 and 1956. Arcaro won the Preakness Stakes with Whirlaway (1941), Citation (1948), Hill Gail (1952), Nashua (1955) and Bold Ruler (1956).
Conclusion
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most prestigious races in horse racing. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown and is held annually at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is limited to a maximum of fourteen horses and the 2021 Preakness Stakes has ten horses running today. The winner of the Preakness Stakes receives an automatic entry into the Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the Triple Crown. The record for most wins in the Preakness Stakes is held by the legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro, who won the race five times between 1941 and 1956.