The Preakness and the Kentucky Derby are two of the most prestigious horse races in the United States, and they are both key races in the “Triple Crown” series. While the Kentucky Derby is the oldest and most renowned of the two races, the Preakness is an important race in its own right. Many people wonder if the Preakness is bigger than the Derby, or if it’s the other way around. In this article, we’ll explore the question of which race is bigger and determine if the Preakness is bigger than the Derby.
History of the Preakness and the Derby
The Preakness Stakes has been held annually since 1873, making it the second oldest of the three Triple Crown races. The Preakness is a Grade I stakes race that is held at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The race is open to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses and is run over a distance of 1 3/16 miles.
The Kentucky Derby has been held annually since 1875 and is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races. The Derby is a Grade I stakes race that is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is open to three-year-old Thoroughbred horses and is run over a distance of 1 1/4 miles.
Spectators and Attendance
The Preakness Stakes typically attracts a crowd of roughly 100,000 spectators, while the Kentucky Derby usually draws a crowd of approximately 170,000 spectators. The Derby is more popular than the Preakness when it comes to attendance, with the Derby having a larger crowd every year.
Purse and Stakes Money
The Preakness has a purse of $1.5 million and a total of $2.5 million in stakes money. The Kentucky Derby has a purse of $3 million and a total of $3.5 million in stakes money. The Derby has a larger purse and more overall stakes money, making it bigger than the Preakness when it comes to the amount of money up for grabs.
Sponsorships and Advertising
The Preakness typically receives less corporate sponsorship and advertising than the Kentucky Derby. The Derby has a long history of corporate sponsorships and advertising, and it is one of the most heavily advertised sporting events in the United States. The Preakness does not receive as much corporate sponsorship and advertising, which makes the Derby bigger when it comes to sponsorships and advertising.
Television Ratings
The Kentucky Derby typically has higher television ratings than the Preakness. The Derby is one of the most-watched sporting events in the United States and is broadcast live on NBC. The Preakness is also broadcast live on NBC, but it usually has lower ratings than the Derby. The higher television ratings of the Derby make it bigger than the Preakness when it comes to television viewership.
Betting
The Kentucky Derby is the most popular horse race to bet on in the United States, and it usually has higher betting volume than the Preakness. The Derby attracts a large number of bettors from around the country, and it is one of the most heavily bet sporting events of the year. The Preakness is also a popular betting event, but it usually has lower betting volume than the Derby. The higher betting volume of the Derby makes it bigger than the Preakness when it comes to betting.
Media Coverage
The Kentucky Derby receives significantly more media coverage than the Preakness. The Derby has been featured in countless books, television shows, and movies, and it is one of the most well-known sporting events in the United States. The Preakness is also featured in the media, but it usually receives less coverage than the Derby. The higher media coverage of the Derby makes it bigger than the Preakness when it comes to media attention.
Overall Popularity
The Kentucky Derby is the most popular of the two races when it comes to overall popularity. The Derby has a long history and is considered to be one of the most prestigious sporting events in the United States. The Preakness is also a prestigious and popular race, but it is usually not as popular as the Derby. The higher overall popularity of the Derby makes it bigger than the Preakness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Kentucky Derby is bigger than the Preakness in many ways. The Derby has a larger crowd, a larger purse, more corporate sponsorships and advertising, higher television ratings, higher betting volume, and more media coverage. The Derby also has a longer history and is more popular overall than the Preakness. While the Preakness is an important and prestigious race in its own right, it is not as big as the Kentucky Derby.