Preakness Stakes – Frequently Asked Questions About The Second Leg Of The Triple Crown

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
Comment this article

When is the Preakness Stakes?

The 136th Preakness Stakes will be run May 21, 2011, at Pimlico Race Course. The post time is scheduled for about 6:19 pm Eastern. This second jewel of the Triple Crown is always run exactly two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, or the third Saturday in May. The 1 3/16th mile distance of the race is actually a 1/16th of a mile shorter than the 1 ¼ mile Kentucky Derby.

Where can I follow the news about the Preakness and the pursuit of the Triple Crown?

DRF.com has in depth analysis from seasoned reporters and pundits. Other good sources are Preakness.com, Thoroughbredtimes.com, Bloodhorse.com, NBCsports.com, and of course right here at Horseracegame.com!

Where can I place bets on the Preakness?

If you are the betting type, wagering can be done at DRF.com, Twinspires.com, and Xpressbet.com; just don’t lose your head.
We know about Derby traditions like the mint julep and fancy hats, but what traditions are typically associated with the Preakness?
Just as the Kentucky Derby winner is draped in a garland of red roses, so too the Preakness has its tradition ...
... of draping over the winner’s shoulders a blanket of Black-Eyed Susan’s. The blanket takes three people a full two days to create.

The winner receives a replica of The Woodlawn Vase that was originally built by Tiffany and Company back in 1860. Because the trophy is valued at over $1 million, it now resides at The Baltimore Museum of Art and brought to Pimlico only for the running of the Preakness. The winning owner is presented with a $30,000 replica instead.

Another notable tradition is the painting of the track’s weather vane. Right after the winner is declared official, a painter climbs up to paint the weather vane in the colors of the winner’s silks.

What is the most common color of horses to win the Preakness?

70 of 135 winning horses have been bay’s (think reddish brown). Chestnuts have represented 44 winners, and brown 15 winners. There have been only three grays, two blacks, and one gray/roan. Can you name the three grays, two blacks, and gray/roan?

Does the Preakness have its own official drink?

Absolutely. We know the mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, but perhaps slightly less well knows is that the Preakness has its own official cocktail. The Black Eyed Susan is not only the type of flower that makes up the 18 x 90 inch blanket draped over the Preakness winner, but it is also the name of the official drink of the Preakness, consisting of Vodka, Whisky, sweet and sour mix, and orange juice, garnished with an orange slice and a cherry.

Can any horse run in the Preakness?

No, the Preakness is a race restricted to male and female 3-year-olds only.

Do the same horses that ran in the Derby run in the Preakness?
Inevitably, many horses from the Derby will return to run in the Preakness. Five of the 19 horses who ran in this year’s Kentucky Derby will return for the Preakness, including Shackleford, Mucho Macho Man, Dialed In, Santiva, and of course, winner Animal Kingdom.

How many horses have succeeded at winning both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness?

Besides the 11 Triple Crown winners, 21 horses have won both the Derby and Preakness but failed in the Belmont Stakes. 7 of those 21 have occurred in the last 14 years. They are in chronological order, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, War Emblem, Funny Cide, Smarty Jones, and most recently, Big Brown.

Who ran the fastest Preakness ever?

Three horses and possibly a fourth are tied. The official record of 1:53 and 2/5 seconds is jointly held by Tank's Prospect in 1985, Louis Quatorze in 1996, and most recently, Curlin in 2007. This record might have had four official record holders today if the official Pimlico timer had not malfunctioned during Secretariats 1973 win in the Preakness. The Daily Racing Form independently clocked Secretariat at 1:53.40 (which would have been a record at the time), but is not acknowledged as “official”.

Who is the favorite in this year's Preakness?

Mike Watchmaker from the DRF has made Derby winner Animal Kingdom the 5-2 favorite.

Where can I find a list of all the Preakness winners?

Preakness.com and other top horse racing sites and here at horseracegame.com.