2024 Triple Crown Race Dates

The Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs - May 4, 2024
The Preakness Stakes
Pimlico - May 18, 2024
The Belmont Stakes
Belmont Park - June 8, 2024

The Preakness Stakes

“The Second Jewel in the Triple Crown”

“The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans”

Preakness Race

Thoroughbred horse racing comes to Maryland on the third Saturday in May each year for the second and shortest leg in The triple Crown the Preakness Stakes. This week-long celebration concludes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore and determines if there will be a Triple Crown contender for the year.

The winner of the Kentucky Derby will square off against some familiar faces as well as some new ones as the best three year old horses go at it in The Preakness Stakes.

Location: Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland

Distance: 1 3/16 miles (1.91km) [Shortest Triple Crown race]

Date: 3rd Saturday in May

Preakness Traditions

The Preakness has been running since 1873.  Many traditions have taken root during the race’s long history.

The Woodlawn Vase

The Woodlawn Vase is presented each year to the owner of the Preakness winner.  The vase was made in 1860 by Tiffany and Company.  Prior to 1953 the actual vase was awarded and kept by the owner until the next Preakness.  Today a sterling silver replica goes to the winning owner while the original remains on display at The Baltimore Museum of Art.

Black-Eyed Susan (The Cocktail)

The official drink of The Preakness is the Black-Eyed Susan.  Here is the recipe: 1.5 oz Vodka, .5 oz St. Germain, 2 oz Pineapple Juice, 1/4 oz Lime Juice, and 3/4 oz Orange Juice.  Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.  Cheers!

Recent Preakness Winners

These are the last ten winners of The Preakness Stakes.

YearHorseTimeJockeyTrainer
2023National Treasure1:55:12John VelazquezBob Baffert
2022Early Voting1:54.54Jose OrtizChad Brown
2021Rombauer1:53.62Flavien PratMichael W. McCarthy
2020Swiss Skydiver1:53.28Robby AlbaradoKenneth McPeek
2019War of Will1:54.34Tyler GaffalioneMark E. Casse
2018Justify1:55.93Mike SmithBob Baffert
2017Cloud Computing1:55.98Javier CastellanoChad Brown
2016Exaggerator1:58.31Kent DesormeauxKeith Desormeaux
2015American Pharoah1:58.46Victor EspinozaBob Baffert
2014California Chrome1:54.84Victor EspinozaArt Sherman

See the full list of Preakness Winners since 1873.