The Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of the Triple Crown, is one of the most exciting and anticipated events on the horse racing calendar. Held just two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness has always been about prestige, tradition, and the chance to witness a potential Triple Crown winner. With a rich history dating back to 1873, it is a race that captures the imagination and passion of racing fans worldwide. The Preakness is often where dreams are made, legends are born, and history is forever etched into the record books.
A Brief History
The Preakness Stakes was first run at the Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 27, 1873. It was founded by Milton S. Latham and named after a colt, Preakness, who won the Dinner Party Stakes, the then-equivalent of the modern-day Kentucky Derby, in 1870. The race was initially run at a distance of 1 1/2 miles, but in 1890, it was shortened to its modern-day distance of 1 3/16 miles, or 9.5 furlongs. The Preakness Stakes quickly gained prominence, and by the late 1800s, it had become a premier event, often attracting the winners of the Kentucky Derby and setting the stage for some of the sport's earliest stars.
Over the years, the Preakness has seen many memorable moments and has been graced by some of the greatest thoroughbreds in history. It has been a platform for Triple Crown attempts, thrilling finishes, and heartbreaking defeats. With its unique atmosphere, the "Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" (a reference to the state flower of Maryland and the traditional blanket of flowers draped over the winner) has become a race that every owner, trainer, and jockey wants to win.
Requirements for Horses
The Preakness Stakes is open to three-year-old colts and geldings, and fillies are also eligible to run. As the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness often attracts horses that ran in the Kentucky Derby, especially those that performed well. However, the Preakness has a unique dynamic as it is run on a shorter track than the Derby, which suits horses with different running styles and those that may have missed out on a spot in the Derby field.
Horses that wish to qualify for the Preakness must pay a starting fee, and the connections of the horse must nominate their horse for the Triple Crown by a specified date, usually in late February or early March. This nomination ensures the horse is eligible for all three races, and a separate entry fee is then paid specifically for the Preakness. The Preakness has a maximum field size of 14 runners, and if more than 14 horses are entered, preference is given to horses with the highest earnings in specific graded stakes races.
Recent Preakness Winners
Recent editions of the Preakness Stakes have produced some incredible finishes and stories, with a mix of favorites and longshots finding their way to the winner's circle.
2023: National Treasure - the Preakness Stakes witnessed a remarkable victory by National Treasure, a thoroughbred that dazzled the racing community with his performance. Owned by the powerhouse partnership of Zedan Racing Stables and trained by the renowned Bob Baffert, National Treasure displayed an impressive blend of speed and stamina. The colt's triumph at Pimlico Racecourse not only underscored Baffert's skill in preparing top-tier racehorses but also added a prestigious win to National Treasure's budding career, hinting at his potential for future success in the racing circuit.
2022: Early Voting - Trained by Chad Brown, Early Voting stamped his ticket to the Preakness with a victory in the Withers Stakes. At Pimlico, he faced the Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, who had passed on the Preakness, and a talented field of rivals. Early Voting tracked the early pace and unleashed a powerful move around the final turn, pulling away to win by a comfortable 1 1/4 lengths.
2021: Rombauer - After a disappointing 2020 season, Rombauer rebounded in the Triple Crown season, winning the El Camino Real Derby. He entered the Preakness at long odds of 11-1, but with a smart ride from jockey Flavien Prat, he rallied from mid-pack to overtake the leaders and pull off a 3/4-length upset victory, denying favorite Medina Spirit and jockey John Velazquez.
2019: War of Will - War of Will, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, won the Preakness in 2019, providing one of the most emotional victories in recent memory. War of Will had been involved in a scary incident in the Kentucky Derby, where he was interfered with badly, losing all chance. He rebounded in the Preakness, showcasing his talent with a commanding front-running victory, becoming the first horse since 1932 to win from the inside post position.
2018: Justify - One of the most recent Triple Crown winners, Justify, added his name to the history books with a dominant performance in the Preakness. After a sloppy Kentucky Derby, Justify and jockey Mike Smith faced a talented field in the Preakness, including good horses like Good Magic and Bravazo. Justify left no doubt, leading from start to finish and winning by a length and a half, setting up a potential Triple Crown bid.
Handicapping Tips and Wagering
When considering potential winners of the Preakness Stakes, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. The Preakness often suits horses that can handle the shorter distance of 9.5 furlongs, so look for runners with tactical speed and the ability to adapt to different racing styles. In-form horses that ran well in the Kentucky Derby or other prep races are always worth considering, especially if they have shown they can handle the unique demands of the Triple Crown races.
Recent trends suggest that paying attention to fresh horses, those that skipped the Kentucky Derby, can be a smart play. These runners come into the Preakness with less wear and tear and often provide good value in the wagering. Additionally, horses that have shown the ability to handle different track conditions, especially those that can handle some give in the ground, can be advantageous, given the potential for a wet track at Pimlico.
For fans wanting to wager on the Preakness, there are numerous betting options available. The simplest bets are win, place, or show bets, where you choose a horse to come in first, second, or third, respectively. Exactas, Trifectas, and Superfectas, where you guess the exact order of finish for the top two, three, or four horses, have the possibility of bigger returns. The Preakness is also famous for its lucrative multi-race exotic wagers, such as the Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5, where you must select the winners of consecutive races, including the Preakness.
In conclusion, the Preakness Stakes is a race that combines history, excitement, and the potential for life-changing payoffs for fans and bettors. With its unique place in the Triple Crown, the Preakness has produced countless memorable moments and has helped etch the names of some of the sport's greatest champions into racing immortality.
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