Everything You Need to Know About the Preakness Stakes 2023
The Preakness Stakes is one of the most prestigious and exciting horse races in the world. It is the second leg of the Triple Crown, following the Kentucky Derby and preceding the Belmont Stakes. The race is held every year on the third Saturday of May at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. In this article, we will tell you where the Preakness Stakes is held, why it is held there, how many horses typically race, what the racetrack is like, and some of the most famous Preakness Stakes races in history.
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Where is the Preakness Stakes Held?
The Preakness Stakes is held at the Pimlico Race Course, which is located in northwest Baltimore, Maryland. The racetrack was opened in 1870 and is the second-oldest racetrack in the United States, after Saratoga Springs in New York. The racetrack has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and features a clubhouse, a grandstand, a turfside terrace, and private luxury suites. The racetrack also hosts other notable races such as the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the Dixie Stakes, and the Maryland Sprint Handicap.
Why is the Preakness Stakes Held There?
The Preakness Stakes is held at the Pimlico Race Course because of its historical significance and tradition. The race was first run in 1873, two years after the Kentucky Derby, and was named after a colt named Preakness who won the Dinner Party Stakes at Pimlico in 1870. The race was originally 1 1/2 miles long, but was shortened to 1 3/16 miles in 1925 to match the Kentucky Derby distance. The race has been held at Pimlico every year since 1909, except for 1890 when it was moved to Morris Park in New York, and 2020 when it was postponed to October due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The payout for a superfecta bet is determined by the odds of the four horses that you bet on. If four popular horses finish first, second, third and fourth, you’re probably not going to hit a major score because the pool gets divided by a larger number. But if you’re able to sneak a couple longshots into the top four that fewer people are likely to have, then you’ll get a larger slice of the pie.
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Preakness Stakes EXPERT PICKS:
Are you going to Bet on the Preakness Stakes? Ride along with WagerTalk’s Horse Experts SIG and Marco D’Angelo and SAVE $10 using coupon code PREAKNESS10. Both Sig and Marco can be seen on WagerTalk’s Horse Racing Show “The Pony Pundits.” Save $10 with code PREAKNESS10 on Checkout.
BUY SIG’S PICK!
SIG’s back for the second jewel of the Triple Crown with Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness Day selections and tickets for both Friday and Saturday cards at Pimlico. SIG and his subscribers crushed the Kentucky Derby hitting both the Exacta and Trifecta multiple times. The Kentucky Derby exacta Paid $334 for a $2 Ticket, while the Trifecta returned $1,964. SIG covers the Biggest Tracks from around the Country on Daily Basis for WagerTalk supplying his selections and betting strategies in his Daily Horse Racing Report.
For one price, you will get everything Marco plays on Preakness. Marco has been enjoying a great 2023 as his clients are up OVER $10,000 in the last 4 months playing just $100 per unit. Grab Marco’s PREAKNESS DAY All Access Package for just $39 (take $10 off with coupon), and you will get every play, including Marco’s exact betting strategies for the 2nd Leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.
How Many Horses Typically Race?
The Preakness Stakes typically features a field of 10 to 14 horses, depending on the number of entries and eligibility requirements. The race is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds who have qualified by earning points in designated prep races or by paying a nomination fee. The maximum number of starters is 14, but there have been exceptions in the past. For example, in 2016, there were 11 starters due to a late scratch of Stanford; in 2018, there were eight starters due to several defections of Kentucky Derby contenders; and in 2020, there were 11 starters due to the rescheduling of the race.
What is the Racetrack Like?
The racetrack at Pimlico Race Course is a dirt oval with a circumference of one mile. The track has a width of 70 feet and a homestretch length of 1,152 feet. The track surface is composed of sand and loam with a clay base. The track also has a turf course inside the dirt course that is seven furlongs long and used for grass races. The track has a reputation for being fast and fair, but can also be affected by weather conditions such as rain or heat.
What are Some of the Most Famous Preakness Stakes Races in History?
The Preakness Stakes has witnessed many memorable and thrilling races in its history. Here are some of the most famous ones:
- In 1938, Seabiscuit faced War Admiral in a match race that was dubbed as “the race of the century”. Seabiscuit was an underdog who had overcome many hardships and injuries, while War Admiral was a Triple Crown winner and a heavy favorite. Seabiscuit surprised everyone by taking an early lead and holding off War Admiral’s challenge to win by four lengths.
- In 1973, Secretariat delivered one of the most dominant performances ever seen in horse racing. He broke from last place and gradually moved up to take command of the race. He then pulled away from his rivals with ease and set a new track record of 1:53 flat that still stands today. He won by an astonishing 31 lengths and went on to become the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.
- In 1989, Sunday Silence and Easy Goer engaged in a fierce duel that lasted for almost the entire race. Sunday Silence had beaten Easy Goer by two and a half lengths in the Kentucky Derby, but Easy Goer was determined to turn the tables in the Preakness. The two horses ran neck and neck for most of the way until Sunday Silence edged ahead by a nose at the wire.
- In 2004, Smarty Jones overcame a rough start and a muddy track to win by a record margin of 11 1/2 lengths. He became the first undefeated horse to win the Preakness since Seattle Slew in 1977 and set himself up for a Triple Crown bid that was ultimately foiled by Birdstone in the Belmont Stakes.
- In 2009, Rachel Alexandra made history by becoming the first filly to win the Preakness since Nellie Morse in 1924. She faced a tough challenge from Mine That Bird, who had won the Kentucky Derby by 6 3/4 lengths as a 50-1 long shot. Rachel Alexandra held off Mine That Bird’s late surge by a length and proved herself as one of the best fillies of all time.
These are just some examples of the amazing races that have taken place at the Preakness Stakes over the years. The race never fails to deliver excitement and drama for horse racing fans and casual viewers alike.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about the Preakness Stakes. If you want to watch this year’s edition of the race on Saturday May 20th at 6:50 p.m ET from Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore Maryland you can tune into NBC Sports or stream it online on NBCSports.com or on Peacock.
Preakness Stakes EXPERT PICKS:
Are you going to Bet on the Preakness Stakes? Ride along with WagerTalk’s Horse Experts SIG and Marco D’Angelo and SAVE $10 using coupon code PREAKNESS10. Both Sig and Marco can be seen on WagerTalk’s Horse Racing Show “The Pony Pundits.” Save $10 with code PREAKNESS10 on Checkout.
BUY SIG’S PICK!
SIG’s back for the second jewel of the Triple Crown with Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness Day selections and tickets for both Friday and Saturday cards at Pimlico. SIG and his subscribers crushed the Kentucky Derby hitting both the Exacta and Trifecta multiple times. The Kentucky Derby exacta Paid $334 for a $2 Ticket, while the Trifecta returned $1,964. SIG covers the Biggest Tracks from around the Country on Daily Basis for WagerTalk supplying his selections and betting strategies in his Daily Horse Racing Report.
For one price, you will get everything Marco plays on Preakness. Marco has been enjoying a great 2023 as his clients are up OVER $10,000 in the last 4 months playing just $100 per unit. Grab Marco’s PREAKNESS DAY All Access Package for just $39 (take $10 off with coupon), and you will get every play, including Marco’s exact betting strategies for the 2nd Leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes.
Basics of Horse Racing Betting
Horse racing is a popular form of betting and entertainment, with various types of wagers available to suit different preferences. Although there is race history or horses that have raced before, horse racing has the advantage of being somewhat unpredictable, which in turn creates some large payouts for small wagers.
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