Preakness Horse
The History of the Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is the second race of the Triple Crown. It is referred to as “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans,” as a garland of Black-eyed Susans, the state flower of Maryland, is presented to the winner.
The first Preakness was held on May 27th, 1873. There were seven starters in this first race. The winner that day was a horse owned by John Chamberlain named Survivor. The horse won by 10 lengths, a record that would stand until 2004. Smarty Jones won by 11 lengths that year. The original purse for the race was $2,050. Today, the purse is $1 million.
The Preakness Stakes is actually older than the Kentucky Derby. It was run two years prior to the Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. This was the race courses first-ever spring race meet and the race was named by the Former Maryland Governor Oden Bowie after a colt by the name of Preakness. The colt was owned by Milton Holbrook Sanford’s Preakness Stables, located in Preakness, Wayne Township, New Jersey. The colt had previously won the Dinner Party Stakes on the day that Pimlico opened on October 25, 1870.
The Preakness has not always been run at Pimlico. In 1890, Morris Park Racecourse in Bronx, New York hosted the race. After 1890, the race was not held for the following three years. From 1894 to 1908, the race was hosted at Gravesend Race Track in Coney Island, New York.
There is speculation that the race may be moved again in 2009. This is due to Pimlico Race Course’s owner, Magna Entertainment Corporation filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March of 2009. However, Maryland legislature approved a plan to buy Pimlico Race Course and the Preakness Stakes Magna Entertainment Corporation does not find a buyer.
The Preakness Stakes is officially the second leg of the Triple Crown and has been since 1931. Prior to that, the Preakness was run before the Kentucky Derby eleven times. Both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes were actually held on the same day on May 12, 1917 and May 13, 1922.
A unique tradition takes place after the winner of the Preakness is announced. The weather vane of cupola on the Old Clubhouse is actually painted the colors of the winning owner’s racing silks on the jockey and horse that makes up the weather vane.
About the Author
Simon M Skinner has worked in the online gaming industry since 2000. He has worked for some of the top online sportsbooks and now runs internet marketing for BetAmerica – the top online US horse racing betting website.
1st Preakness Horse Arrives at Pimlico
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1978 Original Oil Painting Affirmed & Alydar Horse Preakness Racing Tyler $7,500.00 |
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BS PHOTO aha-747 Preakness Day Horse Racing $14.99 |
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BS Photo Preakness Stakes Horse Racing 1972 Sports Hors $14.99 |
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