The $1-million GI Preakness S. returns to its normal position as the second leg of racing's Triple Crown and is the marquee event of a $3.25-million stakes schedule at Pimlico Race Course this spring.
The Preakness, repositioned as the last of the three Triple Crown events due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, was won by Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), who became just the sixth filly in history to win the race. She defeated GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (Into Mischief), who would return to win the GI Breeders' Cup Classic en route to champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year honors.
Each of the 16 black-type races–10 of which carry graded status–takes place over Preakness weekend May 14 and 15. Preakness Day features 10 stakes races, a half-dozen of which are graded, including the $250,000 GII Dinner Party S. (formerly Dixie S.) for older turf males; the $200,000 GIII Chick Lang S. for sophomore sprinters on the main track; the $150,000 GIII Gallorette S. for turf fillies and mares; and the return of the $150,000 GIII Maryland Sprint S. for older male sprinters.
Three-year-olds not quite up to the Preakness have an alternative in the form of the $100,000 Sir Barton S., while turf sophomores are featured in the $100,000 James W. Murphy S. at a grassy mile. The Preakness Day stakes schedule is rounded out by the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at five-eighths of a mile; and the $100,000 Skipat S. for sprinting fillies and mares on the main track.
After occupying a spot on the Preakness undercard last fall, the $250,000 GII Black-Eyed Susan S. returns as the highlight of the May 14 program. It is joined by the $250,000 GIII Pimlico Special S. for older handicap males; the $150,000 GIII Miss Preakness S. for 3-year-old filly sprinters; and the $150,000 GIII Allaire du Pont S. The $100,000 Hilltop S. for 3-year-old fillies on the turf; and the $100,000 The Very One S. for distaff turf sprinters round out the Friday card.
Pimlico opens its doors Friday, May 7 and concludes with a special Memorial Day program Monday, May 31.
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