140th Preakness Stakes

140th Preakness Stakes

The second leg of Thoroughbred racing’s famed Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes is run annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland two weeks following the Kentucky Derby on the third Saturday in May. The Preakness is the shortest leg of the Triple Crown at 1 3/16 mile, and features many of the horses who competed in the Kentucky Derby, plus other contenders. History of the race dates back to 1873, and the winner of the race is annually draped with a floral blanket of Black-Eye Susans, Maryland’s state flower. Other traditions include the Woodlawn Vase and the singing of “Maryland, My Maryland,” the Maryland state song. Secretariat, the 1973 Triple Crown winner, holds the race’s fastest time with 1:53.