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Preakness Central

By , About.com Guide

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The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel of the Triple Crown and held every year two weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. While it does not have as much prestige as the Derby, with a purse of $1 million guaranteed it is still a juicy prize for any horseman. Like the Derby, only 3-year-old thoroughbreds can run in the Preakness, so each only has one chance at it in his lifetime.

I'll Have Another wins the 2012 Preakness Stakes

Rachel Alexandra wins the 2009 Preakness© Cindy Pierson Dulay
I'll Have Another caught pacesetter Bodemeister late to win the second leg of the Triple Crown by a neck with Creative Cause in third. He will now go to the Belmont Stakes and try to become the 12th Triple Crown winner.

 

  • Preakness Undercard Results - there were 7 more stakes on the card including the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Hudson Steele
  • Black-Eyed Susan Day - In Lingerie won the big race plus all the undercard stakes races

    • 2012 Preakness Entries

    The Preakness starting gate© Terence Dulay

    Kentucky Derby winner I'll Have Another, runner-up Bodemeister, and fourth place Went the Day Well will all move on to the Preakness. Several horses from the Derby will go on to the Preakness most years, but there are always a few new ones too.

  • Preakness Entries - a field of 11 was entered
  • Free Past Performances - for the Preakness, look for Bodemeister to find the link
  • Analyzing the Preakness Stakes Contenders for 2012 - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner.
  • Preakness weather forecasts
  • Preakness Entry Rules - how they determine the order of preference if more than 14 horses enter

    • The Triple Crown Trail

    Big Brown wins the Preakness© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    Every spring the 3-year-old thoroughbreds start their campaigns hoping to make it to one of the Triple Crown races. Racing fans watch and wonder which prep race will yield the Derby, Preakness, and Belmont winner as the horses compete on the Triple Crown trail at race tracks from coast-to-coast. Just remember, for the Preakness the Kentucky Derby is a critical prep and very few win the race who didn't run in the Derby no matter where they finished in it.

  • 2010 Triple Crown Trail - a schedule of all the prep races with results

    • Handicapping

    Handicappers at the Preakness© Cindy Pierson Dulay

    The Preakness is not given quite as much scrutiny, since there are usually some standouts by then. Many people want to favor front running speed horses based on the theory that the turns are sharper at Pimlico and the fact the race is shorter. The Preakness is 1 3/16 miles which is still longer than most races, and the turns have been measured and that is just a myth. Another popular angle is bet the local horse for 2nd or 3rd, which often does work.

  • Analyzing the Preakness Contenders - trying to pick a winner
  • Who do you think will win the Preakness?
  • Handicapping the Preakness
  • Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2012 by Jim Mazur

    • Preakness History

    The old clubhouse cupola which is the Preakness winner's circle© Cindy Pierson Dulay
    The Preakness Stakes was first run in 1873 and will have its 134th running this year. Many of the greatest thoroughbreds of all time have won the Preakness and it is one of the big races all horsemen dream of winning. Find out more about the rich history of the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

  • Past Preakness Winners
  • Fillies in the Preakness Stakes
  • Past Preakness articles and photos (1998 - 2008)
  • Preakness Stakes History
  • The History of Pimlico

    • Preakness 101

    Pimlico Grandstand© Cindy Pierson Dulay
    An overview of the Preakness from history to handicapping to how to attend. Perfect for beginners who want to start their education in all things Preakness.

  • Preakness official site
  • Preakness 101
  • Baltimore Weather Forecasts
  • Preakness infield rules - you can't bring your own beer anymore
  • Preakness Security
  • Preakness Links

    • Traditions

    An honor guard carries the Woodlawn Vase to the winner's circle.© Cindy Pierson Dulay
    The Preakness is not quite as steeped in tradition as the Derby, but still with such a long history it has it's own mystique. The traditional flower of the Preakness is the Black-Eyed Susan, hence their black and yellow color scheme, and the $1 million Woodlawn Vase is the permanent trophy of the race. Here is a look at some of the more well known Preakness traditions.

  • 2009 Alibi Breakfast

  • The Woodlawn Vase
  • The Woodlawn The Black-Eyed Susan Winner's Blanket
  • The Winner's Circle
  • Painting the Weather Vane
  • The Alibi Breakfast
  • The Traditional Drink - the Black-Eyed Susan
    • Suggested Reading
    Elsewhere on the Web

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