1/ST Introduces New Racing Series, Preakness Purse Increase

A new $25-million racing and incentive series connecting Preakness 149, The California Crown, and the 2025 Pegasus World Cup was announced via press release by 1/ST Friday.

Featuring more than $12.5-million in elevated purses and $7.5-million in incentives for both dirt and turf runners, there is a $5-million additional bonus on the line to the owner (s) of the horse who wins the 149th GI Preakness S., GI California Crown, and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational.

Turf horses will have a similar series and prize structure, with a $2.5-million bonus offered to the connections who win the GIII Dinner Party S., GII California Crown John Henry Turf, and GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.

Also included in the announcement was the news that the purse for the second jewel of the Triple Crown will increase to $2-million, and coupled with elevated purses in other contests, will make Preakness 149 Saturday the most lucrative in the event's history with $3.3-million to be won. The first race of the new series will run May 18 at Pimlico Race Course.

Replacing the Awesome Again S., the GI California Crown will debut on what is dubbed a 'reimagined opening day experience' Sept. 28 for Santa Anita Park's 2024 fall meet. The $1-million contest for 3-year-olds and older will run at 1 1/8-miles while the GII California Crown Eddie D. Turf Sprint and GII California Crown John Henry Turf will both feature $750,000 purses in what will be California's richest day of racing.

The anchor leg of the series goes to the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Jan. 25, which will feature the $3-million Invitational and $1-million Turf Invitational. The live broadcast will include the presentation of the potential $7.5-million bonus should any horse accomplish the feat of sweeping the series.

1/ST will also put up $5-million for a Coast-to-Coast Pick'Em Challenge sweepstakes, requiring fans and bettors to successfully pick the first four finishers of each series race, in order. It will be free to enter through the 1/ST betting app, and is there are no perfect winning entries, the most overall correct entry will win a $100,000 cash prize.

“My team and I continue to believe and invest in the modernization of Thoroughbred horse racing with a commitment to the highest level of international safety standards and horse care as we continue to elevate our already industry-leading wagering, entertainment and hospitality programs,” said 1/ST Chairwoman and CEO, Belinda Stronach.

“To back this up, 1/ST is adding to the legacy of the Preakness by increasing the purse, creating a new marquee race event for the majestic Santa Anita Park–The California Crown–and continuing to build on the phenomenal success of the Pegasus World Cup.  We're proud to work with incredible partners who share our vision and see the future of world-class Thoroughbred racing combined with unique and elevated guest experiences.”

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Preakness 149 Future Wager Begins Thursday

Edited Press Release

The first pool to wager on the 149th GI Preakness S., middle jewel of the Triple Crown, begins Thursday, Feb. 29 and will close just hours after three major prep races are contested Saturday in Florida, California, and New York.

When pools open at noon Thursday, 12 weeks before Preakness 149 at Pimlico Race Course, Baoma Corp.'s undefeated Nysos (Nyquist) will be the 4-1 favorite with the pari-mutuel field of “all other 3-year-olds” the 6-1 second choice.

The first Preakness 149 future wager will close after Saturday's runnings of the $400,000 GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream Park, the $400,000 GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita Park, and the $300,000 GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct.

There are 40 betting interests in the Preakness 149 future wager, with the 40th betting interest being the pari-mutuel field, or “all other 3-year-olds.” The Preakness 149 future wager has a $2 minimum and 18% takeout. The first pool closes at 8 p.m. Saturday evening. The second pool opens Friday, Apr. 26 and closes Saturday, May 4 at 6 p.m.

The Preakness Future Wager was unanimously approved by the Maryland Racing Commission. Similar to that of future wagers for the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks, bettors are not refunded if their selection does not run in the Preakness, which is limited to a maximum of 14 starters.

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