Headlined by the 150^th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, a total of 16 stakes, eight graded, worth $4.3 million in purses will be contested Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at historic Pimlico Race Course.

First run in 1873, the Preakness is the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, predating the Kentucky Derby (G1) by two years. The inaugural Belmont Stakes (G1) was held in 1867.

The $2 million Preakness, contested at 1 3/16 miles, will anchor a May 17 program of 10 stakes worth $3.25 million in purses including the $250,000 Dinner Party (G3) for 3-year-olds and up and $150,000 Gallorette (G3) for fillies and mares 3 and older, each going 1 1/16 miles on the grass, and $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs.

Other supporting stakes on Preakness Day are the $150,000 Chick Lang sprinting six furlongs and $100,000 Sir Barton at 1 1/16 miles on the main track and $100,000 James Murphy going one mile on the turf, all for 3-year-olds; $125,000 Skipat for fillies and mares 3 and older at six furlongs; and $125,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint, a five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up.

Returning to the Preakness Day lineup will also be the $100,000 UAE President Cup (G1) for 3-year-old Arabian horses, run at 1 1/16 miles.

The 101^st running of the $300,000 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan (G2) for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/8 miles tops six stakes, three graded, worth $1.05 million in purses on Friday, May 16. It is joined by the historic $250,000 Pimlico Special (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 3/16 miles and $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3) for sophomore fillies sprinting six furlongs.

Also on the traditional Preakness Eve program are the $125,000 Allaire du Pont for fillies and mares 3 and up at 1 1/8 miles and a pair of turf stakes – the $125,000 Hilltop for 3-year-old fillies going one mile and $100,000 The Very One for fillies and mares 3 and older sprinting five furlongs.