Pimlico unveils spring stakes schedule
Highlighted by the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds, Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Maryland Jockey Club will present 16 stakes, 10 graded, worth $3.8 million in purses over Preakness weekend, May 20-21, at historic Pimlico Race Course.
The Preakness Meet at Pimlico is scheduled to open Thursday, May 12 and run through Tuesday, May 31.
- Maryland Racing Commission OKs new TMJC as track operatorThe Maryland Racing Commission on Dec. 23 signed off on the new nonprofit Maryland Jockey Club to operate Laurel Park in the new year.
With a history that dates back to 1873, making it the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, the $1.5 million Preakness going 1 3/16 miles anchors a program of 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.75 million Saturday, May 20.
Rombauer’s victory in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields earned him a spot in the 146th Preakness last May, where he sprung an 11-1 upset defeating nine rivals including millionaire graded-stakes winner Midnight Bourbon and Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit.
Leading the undercard stakes on Preakness Day is the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2) for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. To be run for the 121st time, the Dinner Party is Pimlico’s oldest race and the eighth-oldest in the country, first run in 1870.
Other graded supporting stakes are the $200,000 Chick Lang (G3) for 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs, $150,000 Gallorette (G3) for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles on the grass, $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3) at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, and $100,000 Arabian Derby (G1) for Arabian 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles.
Sophomores will also be in the Preakness Day spotlight in both the $100,000 Sir Barton going 1 1/16 miles on dirt and $100,000 James W. Murphy at one mile on the grass. Rounding out the stakes are the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint, a five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up, and $100,000 Skipat for females 3 and older sprinting six furlongs.
The 98th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2), one of the premiere events in the country for 3-year-old fillies and contested at 1 1/8 miles, will once again be in its traditional spot as the feature a Friday, May 20 Preakness Eve card boasting six stakes, four graded, worth $1.05 million in purses.
Also on the program are the historic $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles, $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3) for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs, and $150,000 Allaire du Pont (G3) for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/8 miles.
Two grass races round out the Black-Eyed Susan Day card – the $100,000 Hilltop for 3-year-old fillies going a mile and $100,000 The Very One, a five-furlong dash for fillies and mares 3 and older.
Live racing is currently being conducted in Maryland at Laurel Park, which will host a special nine-race Presidents Day holiday program Monday that begins at 12:25 p.m.
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