Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes is an American flat thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and two or three weeks before the Belmont Stakes.

The Preakness Stakes first ran in 1873 and the race is preceded by the Black-Eyed Susan for fillies and mares on Friday. The Preakness Stakes winner is awarded the famous Woodlawn Vase, originally created by Tiffany and Company in 1860, and adorned with a blanket fashioned from Black-Eyed Susan flowers.

The race has had something of a party atmosphere in the past, especially in the infield, which is general admission. Aside from InfieldFest, the race is known for its fancy hats and official cocktail, the Black-eyed Susan, made with vodka, St-Germain liqueur and pineapple, lime and orange juices.